County Lines & Ketamine Misuse: Hidden Harm in Primary Care

Dr Rowena Christmas MBE

MBBS DCH MRCGP FRCGP

Wednesday 23 June 2027

Start Time: 19:30 | Finish Time: 21:30

2 hours CPD

PDF of speaker's slides for learning purposes

Appraisal certificate for your portfolio

For UK HCPs Only.

Heavily Subsidised Course - Nominal Charge only £15 inc VAT

Part funding provided by pharmaceutical companies including a sponsored session over break time.
Dr Christmas' sessions are completely independent of external sponsorship

Learning Objectives

County Lines

County Lines represents one of the most serious and complex safeguarding challenges facing primary care today, with vulnerable children and adults frequently exploited by criminal networks in ways that can be difficult to recognise. This session will equip clinicians with the knowledge and confidence to identify, respond to, and appropriately escalate concerns.

Ketamine Abuse – A Growing Safeguarding Concern

Ketamine misuse is a rapidly escalating public health issue with profound physical, psychological, and safeguarding implications that primary care clinicians are increasingly encountering. This session provides an evidence-based overview of the harms associated with ketamine abuse and explores the safeguarding complexities it presents.

Agenda

19:30 - 20:15

Session 1 - Dr Rowena Christmas MBE

County Lines

Define County Lines and understand how criminal exploitation networks operate
Recognise the signs and indicators of exploitation in children and vulnerable adults
Understand the concept of cuckooing and its impact on adult safeguarding
Apply trauma-informed, non-judgmental approaches when engaging with at-risk patients
Know the appropriate safeguarding referral pathways and when to act
Understand your professional and legal responsibilities as a clinician

20:15 - 20:45

Break and Promotional Presentation

20:45 - 21:30

Session 2 - Dr Rowena Christmas MBE

Ketamine Abuse

Describe the physical harms of ketamine misuse including ketamine-induced uropathy and bladder damage
Recognise presentations of ketamine dependency in clinical practice
Identify the safeguarding vulnerabilities associated with ketamine misuse, including exploitation and coercion
Understand the particular risks to young people and vulnerable adults
Apply appropriate safeguarding frameworks when managing affected patients
Know when and how to refer to specialist services and safeguarding leads

21:30

Webinar Ends

Meet the Speaker

Dr Rowena Christmas MBE

MBBS DCH MRCGP FRCGP

GP Partner, Wye Valley Practice, Trellech Surgery

Clinical Director ABUHB

Past Chair RCGP Wales

Rowena Christmas is a GP Partner and Safeguarding Lead with 27 years of experience in primary care, bringing extensive depth of knowledge and clinical leadership to the field of safeguarding.

As the RCGP Safeguarding Representative for Wales, she has been involved in shaping national policy and practice, and chair’s both national and local safeguarding peer support forums, fostering collaboration and shared learning across primary care.

A respected figure in Welsh medical leadership, she is former Chair of RCGP Wales, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Wales, and the Welsh Medical Committee, reflecting a long-standing commitment to advancing healthcare standards at the highest levels.

An international speaker and educator, she is sought after for her ability to translate complex safeguarding challenges into practical, clinician-focused guidance that makes a real difference at the frontline.

In recognition of her contribution to primary care and safeguarding, she was awarded MBE and the RCGP President's Medal.

Mediconf is delighted to welcome them as a presenter for this safeguarding webinar.

Book this event online

Wednesday 23 June 2027

Start Time: 19:30 | Finish Time: 21:30

This webinar will NOT be recorded for delegate later viewing due to the presentation being the Intellectual Property of the speaker.

The Zoom link to join the event will be emailed to the email address you booked with. This may be received into your spam/junk inboxes, please check.
If you cannot locate the Zoom link, please email webinar@mediconf.co.uk for assistance.

If you are planning to access the webinar by your mobile or tablet please make sure to download the Zoom app to participate in the Q&A.

We no longer offer the option to dial in using your phone due to the excessive fees charged.