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Hospital to create database of all knife and gun wounds
Anna Davis29.09.08
A London hospital is to launch an investigation into knife and gun wounds amid an epidemic of violence.
Researchers at The Royal London aim to create the first comprehensive database of serious attacks in the capital.
They would record injuries sustained by victims, the weapon used and where the attack took place.
So far this year 27 teenagers have died in violent attacks in the capital.
One of The Royal London's leading trauma surgeons, Karim Brohi, said one in three of his patients was now a stabbing victim.
In a joint letter to the Evening Standard, Mr Brohi, surgical registrar Thomas Konig, and air ambulance lead clinician Dr Anne Weaver, write: "The number of stabbings in London is unfortunately beginning to match some inner city areas of the United States.
The dramatic rise in serious injury from people carrying knives is undoubtedly having an impact on the hospitals treating these injuries."
Doctors and researchers are waiting for ethical approval before they can start the research project. It could see all London hospitals and the ambulance service reporting details of stabbings to the Royal London in Whitechapel, which would become the central research hub. Personal details of victims would be kept confidential.
Researcher Nicholas Davies-Gilbert said: "Ultimately we want to link our records with the police to get an overall view of crime in London.
"We want to work out where it is happening and what weapons are being used. This problem is just draining the NHS and we don't want more people to die."
In a separate move, the General Medical Council is consulting on draft guidance to doctors that they should inform police whenever someone arrives in hospital with a knife wound.
Medical staff would not have to breach confidentiality by telling police the patient's name and address, and police would not have to be informed if the injury was accidental or selfinflicted.
Some doctors fear a situation where knife crime victims are deterred from seeking treatment.
Met commander Rod Jarman, the officer in charge of tackling youth gangs, told the Standard the level of serious crime committed by teenagers had remained unchanged over the past three years.
Reader views (5)
I think it goes hand in hand. Crime rises, police get more power, people lose more freedoms, then repeat cycle until we are slaves again. Also part of the cycle is common citizens becomes frustrated by what appears to be an increasingly powerful and dominant police state and become more violent and join the criminal class. Non criminal class sees this as need for more police power - thus increasing support for stricter laws.
- Dave, San Francisco,USA
That's right, we should follow the rule of America - Arm everyone. Let anyone carry a gun and allow the teenagers to shoot each other in the school yard as well as in the street! 27 teenage deaths in London a year would soon blow out to 270 or more, problem solved? That really would be taking back the country from the criminal class, wouldn't it? Great Idea
- Paul, Sydney, Aust
I find it incredible that this Government has not introduced legislation making it a criminal offence not to report a gun or knife injury. With this invaluable information, on the police database, resources can be directed to those areas which are showing an increasing trend in violent crime.
- Dave Bristol, Bristol England
About time! Trust it to be the hardworking Doctors to actually be proactive in this field!
- Jack, London
But all the anti-gun, anti-knife laws were supposed to stop this "epidemic of violance." What happened? Oh, yes that's right: The criminals still have the weapons and use them against law abiding unarmed and helpless citizens. The police cannot protect you, arm yourselves and take back your country from the criminal class.
- Trunk, US
