The Glade Sexual Assault Referral Centre-Telford

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

We assessed 2 quality statements under the effective key question. Patients’ needs were systematically assessed, and their care and treatment were delivered according to standards and evidence-based practice. Staff understood the importance of seeking informed consent and always explained to patients what their rights around consent were.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The provider's patient support service managed all initial referrals and identified any additional support requirements before patients attended the SARC. This included assessing communication needs as well as any reasonable adjustments needed to facilitate attendance. This information was used to inform appointment planning and ensure appropriate support was in place before the patient's arrival.

All patients received a comprehensive assessment of their health and wellbeing needs. Assessments included consideration of medical history, sexual health, mental health and safeguarding concerns. Staff identified and documented vulnerabilities and assessed specific risk factors, including non-fatal strangulation and female genital mutilation (FGM), to ensure appropriate interventions and onward referrals were provided.

Patients at risk of acute alcohol withdrawal were assessed using recognised clinical assessment tools. The service held a small supply of alcohol on site, which could be administered when clinically indicated to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and reduce the risk of harm.

Health risks associated with sexual assault and unprotected sexual activity were assessed and managed in accordance with national guidance. This included consideration of the need for HIV PEP and emergency contraception, in line with guidance from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare

We reviewed a sample of patient records and found them to be clear, comprehensive and contemporaneous. Documentation provided a detailed account of assessments undertaken, clinical decision-making, care delivered and actions taken, demonstrating a person-centred approach to care.

A case review meeting was held each day to discuss all patients seen by the service. This provided an opportunity to review care provided, ensure patients' needs had been fully identified and confirm that required procedures had been followed appropriately.

The service had established referral pathways to support patients' wider health, safeguarding and emotional wellbeing needs. Records demonstrated that referrals were made appropriately to partner agencies and specialist services, including Independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs), general practitioners and genitourinary medicine services. Staff maintained a tracking system to monitor referrals and confirm that they had been received and acted upon. This helped promote continuity of care and reduced the risk of patients being lost to follow-up.

The judgement for Delivering evidence-based care and treatment is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

The judgement for How staff, teams and services work together is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

The judgement for Supporting people to live healthier lives is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

The judgement for Monitoring and improving outcomes is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Effective key question.

We found that staff understood the importance of obtaining informed consent from patients. Patients' capacity to provide informed consent was routinely assessed as part of the examination process, and clear guidance was available to support staff in situations where capacity was in doubt.

The patient records we reviewed demonstrated that consent had been obtained and appropriately documented for all relevant aspects of care. This included consent for the forensic examination, the collection of forensic samples, the taking of photographs and digital images, and the potential use of medical records and evidence in court proceedings.

During forensic examinations, staff checked regularly with patients to confirm their ongoing consent and willingness to proceed with each stage of the examination. Staff ensured patients understood what was happening and provided opportunities for them to ask questions or pause the examination if required. This helped ensure that patients remained in control of decisions about their care throughout the examination process.