❓ Question regarding Bunbury Hospital's procedures for sexual assault victims, focusing on forensic examinations and staff training. The Minister acknowledges community concerns and outlines steps taken to ensure policy compliance and staff education, clarifying that patient consent is paramount.
AnsweredQoN 1385Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BUNBURY HOSPITAL — SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
1385. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the minister
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to procedures for the
treatment of sexual assault victims presenting at Bunbury Hospital.
(1) Does Bunbury
Hospital have a policy for the mandatory forensic examination of sexual assault
patients presenting at the hospital?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) does the policy require a forensic
examination to be undertaken as a matter of course;
(b) are all staff briefed on the
policy;
(c) is the implementation of the
policy monitored to ensure all staff follow it; and
(d) are there enough suitably
qualified staff to implement the policy; and, if not, why not?
(3) Is the
minister aware of community concerns about the lack of mandatory forensic
examinations being carried out by hospital staff?
(4) If yes to (3), what has the
minister done to ensure compliance with the policy?
(5) If no to (3),
will the minister act to ensure that forensic examinations are carried out to
better support the victims?
1385. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the minister
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to procedures for the
treatment of sexual assault victims presenting at Bunbury Hospital.
(1) Does Bunbury
Hospital have a policy for the mandatory forensic examination of sexual assault
patients presenting at the hospital?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) does the policy require a forensic
examination to be undertaken as a matter of course;
(b) are all staff briefed on the
policy;
(c) is the implementation of the
policy monitored to ensure all staff follow it; and
(d) are there enough suitably
qualified staff to implement the policy; and, if not, why not?
(3) Is the
minister aware of community concerns about the lack of mandatory forensic
examinations being carried out by hospital staff?
(4) If yes to (3), what has the
minister done to ensure compliance with the policy?
(5) If no to (3),
will the minister act to ensure that forensic examinations are carried out to
better support the victims?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) In the case
of alleged sexual assault patients presenting at Bunbury Hospital emergency
department, clinicians are guided by the WA Country Health Service's
sexual assault resource centre emergency care history and checklist, as well as
the WACHS south west standards of care for clients who present with alleged
sexual assault procedure. Forensic examination of patients presenting to the
emergency department is not mandatory, as the presenting patient must consent
to examinations. There are two stages to forensic examination, including an
early evidence kit and a full forensic examination.
(2) (a) Refer to (1).
(b) Yes.
(c) All incidents
related to patients presenting with alleged sexual assault are thoroughly
investigated by the emergency department nurse unit manager and the clinical
director. However, there is no mandatory requirement and patient consent is
required.
(d) Yes.
(3) Yes. However, there is no
mandatory requirement and patient consent is required.
(4) All clinical
staff in the emergency department have been educated on the checklist and
procedure referred to in answer (1) and have received recent communication to
refresh their knowledge of the policy. In addition, WA Country Health Service
south west is currently reviewing the policy with clinical staff in the
emergency department and the obstetrics and gynaecology service to identify any
potential improvements.
(5) Not applicable.
of the question.
(1) In the case
of alleged sexual assault patients presenting at Bunbury Hospital emergency
department, clinicians are guided by the WA Country Health Service's
sexual assault resource centre emergency care history and checklist, as well as
the WACHS south west standards of care for clients who present with alleged
sexual assault procedure. Forensic examination of patients presenting to the
emergency department is not mandatory, as the presenting patient must consent
to examinations. There are two stages to forensic examination, including an
early evidence kit and a full forensic examination.
(2) (a) Refer to (1).
(b) Yes.
(c) All incidents
related to patients presenting with alleged sexual assault are thoroughly
investigated by the emergency department nurse unit manager and the clinical
director. However, there is no mandatory requirement and patient consent is
required.
(d) Yes.
(3) Yes. However, there is no
mandatory requirement and patient consent is required.
(4) All clinical
staff in the emergency department have been educated on the checklist and
procedure referred to in answer (1) and have received recent communication to
refresh their knowledge of the policy. In addition, WA Country Health Service
south west is currently reviewing the policy with clinical staff in the
emergency department and the obstetrics and gynaecology service to identify any
potential improvements.
(5) Not applicable.
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