During an assessment under our new approach
We carried out this announced on-site assessment on 20th May 2026.
Grange Park Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) offers medical, practical and emotional support to adults and young people aged 16-17 who have experienced sexual assault including rape.There is a weekly paediatric clinic at Grange Park SARC for non-recent cases.The centre is staffed by forensically trained clinicians and crisis workers.
The SARC is managed by Mountain Healthcare Limited (MHL) and is commissioned by NHS England alongside the Staffordshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to provide clinical healthcare and forensic services. It opens 365 days a year and operates a 24 hour a day service.
The SARC is located on the top floor of a community health centre building and was awaiting building works designed to enable the facilities to meet all ISO 15189 Standards and Forensic Science Regulator requirements to ensure high quality evidence is obtained to support patients through the criminal justice system. At the time of the inspection,there was no confirmed date for building works to start.
During the inspection we spoke with the associate head of healthcare, the regional contract director (who was also the registered manager),the regional operations manager,the SARC manager,a crisis worker and a forensic nurse examiner. We checked the premises for access,cleanliness and the journey that a patient would take from arrival to departure. We reviewed the SARC’s policies and procedures, and other records about how the service is managed.
We assessed 10 quality statements in total under the safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led key questions.
We found the provider was meeting the relevant regulations.The service had a committed and dedicated group of staff who were supported by managers,with effective governance and an open culture. Patients received a good standard of care and treatment which was delivered in line with current best practice guidance. Patient records were detailed and audits identified any areas for improvement.Some rooms had ligature risks,but appropriate mitigation was in place to reduce risk to patients, and these would be removed when building works commenced.