Dr Charlotte Kirk

Dr Charlotte Kirk is a Consultant Paediatrician who has worked for NHS Lothian in this capacity since August 2010. She graduated with MBChB (honours) from the University of Edinburgh in 1995 and, has worked as a general paediatrician for over 25 years in London, Australia and Scotland. She completed her training, registering as a general paediatrician on the GMC specialist register in 2010.

Dr Kirk has had specific responsibility for safeguarding cases since 2008. Since 2010 she has worked full time on the child protection rota which covers the medical response to all alleged physical and sexual assaults of children and child protection cases. Consequently, she undertakes approximately 180 child protection examinations for both physical and sexual assault a year (and has done so since 2010). These examinations include joint paediatric forensic examinations where she works in collaboration with a forensic physician in accordance with Scottish law.

Dr Kirk was lead paediatrician for child protection for the city of Edinburgh 2013 to 2017, lead paediatrician for the counties of East and Mid Lothian 2017 to 2023 and Lead paediatrician for child protection for NHS Lothian from 2019 to 2023.

She trained at the Haven sexual assault centre in London in 2008 to examine children who allege sexual assault. She continues to develop professionally undertaking regular update courses in safeguarding and sexual assault examination. She has considerable experience teaching, including RCPCH update courses such as court skills, report writing and sexual abuse. Dr Kirk reviews papers to contribute to future RCPCH safeguarding publications including the Child Protection companion.

Dr Kirk initiated peer review for physical abuse in NHS Lothian in 2015 and continues to chair this group. She partakes in regular peer review for child sexual abuse cases (monthly) through the Managed clinical network for SEAT (SouthEast Scotland and Tayside). Dr Kirk has attended court (both Sheriff and High court) to give evidence as a professional witness.

She has obtained the Cardiff university Bond Solon Criminal Expert certificate and continues her professional development in expert witness training.

Cardiff University Bond Solon Criminal Expert Certificate