Colchester review

That Essex Police inform GPs of current firearms licence holders as soon as possible, requesting them to flag patient records, and do not wait to the licence renewal date. This recommendation should be considered nationally.

That the Home Office review and broaden the medical conditions within the Home Office Guidance on Firearms Licensing Law 2014 regarding psychiatric assessment, to specifically include consideration of Dementia.

A patient's GP should be notified of any assessment of risk completed in the course of a memory clinic appointment; this will allow the GP to have a more complete picture in assessing any required disclosure to Police in respect of the continuing suitability to hold a Firearm.

That the Home Office approved Firearms Licensing - Medical Pilot Scheme, which strengthens the grant and renewal process by notifying GPs that a patient holds a firearms licence and requiring that record to be flagged , be rolled out for adoption nationally.

The principle of promoting individual well-being as set out in Care Act 2014 Part 1 and Promoting integration of care and support with health services Care Act 2014 Section 3 should be taken forward. Care Act 2014 training should include material to ensure that any care assessment broadens its focus to embrace an holistic approach which considers impact and effect of other family members and life changing situations.

Previous legislation with regard to Carers rights to advice, assessments and services/support is updated by provisions in Care Act 2014. Training/re-training for all practitioners likely to be involved in assessments or reviews of carers will therefore be required and should be mandatory. This should include practitioners at all stages of the customer journey.

That the DASH template includes the impact of significant life changing events.

Agencies should, within legal guidelines, review their information sharing to ensure that they have not drifted into a position whereby, in the worst case, information is only shared when the holding Agency assess it as high risk. Information may be assessed as low risk but will still be relevant to the effective performance of partner Agencies.

Liaison and communication between the care providing agencies is improved by the provision of a strategic pathway of care, coordinated through a single point of contact or care manager to assist information gathering, analysis, assessment and sharing. There may be an opportunity to link current procedures. The provisions of the Care Act 2014, particularly sections 3 and 6 should drive a working group to establish guidance for Essex.

That it should be a prerequisite to the grant/renewal of a Firearms Licence that the applicant allow their GP to share relevant information to the holding of a Firearms Licence, with other agencies; which may otherwise fall within patient privilege.

Agencies should report to the Community Safety Partnership compliance rates with mandatory safeguarding training.

That the Colchester Community Safety Partnership organise a seminar to facilitate joint training and learning between Agencies in North East Essex on safeguarding and particularly their separate roles in preventing and addressing Domestic Abuse.