❓ Question addresses access to sexual assault forensic services in regional WA, particularly wait times and staff availability. The answer outlines the process and responsibilities but lacks specific data on wait times.
AnsweredQoN 582Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to circumstances where a person presents at a regional hospital or health services requiring sexual assault forensic kits and no trained staff are available to administer it, and I ask: (a) what process is followed; (b) what is the average wait time or travel time required for a person to access a forensic examination, broken down by region; and (c) which division within WA Health holds responsibility for monitoring kit stock levels, expiry, and trained staff coverage across regional facilities?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health
Response time
4 days
Forensic evidence collection can be initiated at all WA Country Health Service sites through the use of Early Evidence Kits and 24/7 support from the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC). In instances where a more detailed forensic examination is required and appropriately trained personnel are not present, arrangements are made for trained staff to travel to the site, or for the individual to be transported—accompanied by a support person—to the nearest facility with appropriate capability. Specific arrangements are dependent on individual circumstances.
(a) WA Country Health Service does not record data in relation to wait time or travel times.
(b) The North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) SARC is responsible for monitoring the quality of forensic kits and reviewing associated requirements. Forensic training, including the Early Evidence Kit and the Forensic Training Program, is also coordinated and delivered by NMHS SARC.
At the site level, WACHS staff are accountable for maintaining kit stock in accordance with imprest processes, including oversight of stock levels and expiry dates. WACHS holds responsibility for monitoring the list of trained staff and targeting training programs to areas of greatest need across regional facilities
(a) WA Country Health Service does not record data in relation to wait time or travel times.
(b) The North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) SARC is responsible for monitoring the quality of forensic kits and reviewing associated requirements. Forensic training, including the Early Evidence Kit and the Forensic Training Program, is also coordinated and delivered by NMHS SARC.
At the site level, WACHS staff are accountable for maintaining kit stock in accordance with imprest processes, including oversight of stock levels and expiry dates. WACHS holds responsibility for monitoring the list of trained staff and targeting training programs to areas of greatest need across regional facilities
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