The Shores – Dorset SARC

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

We assessed 1 quality statement under the caring key question. Staff treated patients with dignity, respect and compassion, and protected their privacy and personal information.

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

Although we could not speak with patients directly, we reviewed a sample of patient feedback forms that had been completed in the previous 6 months to our visit. Responses indicated high levels of patient satisfaction with the service provided. Patients stated consistently that their privacy and dignity had been respected throughout their visit, that staff were supportive and professional, and that the environment was welcoming. One patient had commented that after experiencing such a horrible assault, they had felt safe and cared for by staff; another that staff had shown incredible patience and understanding of their autism. Staff received training in autism awareness and learning disabilities to help them better understand the needs of patients living with these conditions.

We spoke with 2 police sexual offence liaison officers) from the local and surrounding area. They told us the staff in the service were very caring towards patients, describing them as friendly, kind and supportive, and they worked well together.

The monthly governance and performance report contained a ‘Truly Care’ section, which featured examples of where staff had gone above and beyond to meet patient need, so that good practice could be highlighted and shared across the service.

Staff gave us practical examples of where they had provided caring support to patients. For example, the extra measures they implemented to support a patient living with alcohol addiction to attend the SARC and help one homeless patient get registered with a GP.

Patients attending the SARC were always welcomed personally by the crisis worker at the door, who explained how the service worked and their role in supporting them throughout their visit.

One crisis worker told us they worked hard at establishing a relationship with the patient based on trust and respect. We found staff were knowledgeable about the impact of sexual assault especially when supporting the parents of children who had been assaulted, and the complex emotions they could feel.

Colouring books, toys and games were available to help keep children distracted whilst they waited, with staff reporting that the fidget toys and bubbles were particularly popular. Hot and cold drinks were available for patients, as well as snacks. A bathroom was available allowing patients to shower and change after their examination. Patients were given a care bag containing toiletries which they could use and take away.

All patients who attended the SARC received a phone call following their visit so that staff could check on their welfare and offer additional support if needed.

Patients’ privacy and confidentiality were maintained by staff throughout their visit. There was a dedicated patient entrance to the SARC that was not open to the public. A portable privacy screen was available for patients to undress behind and to shield the examination couch if needed. There was a reminder in patients’ notes that information about their pregnancy and blood borne virus risk was confidential and must not be shared with police colleagues.

Patient paper records were held in locked fireproof filing cabinets, with controlled access ensuring their personal information was secure. A clear process was in place to ensure patient intimate images taken during the examination process were managed securely and confidentially.

Forensic samples could be kept for up to 2 years for those patients that self-referred to the service, allowing them time to consider if they wanted to take action against a suspect at a future date.

The judgement for Treating people as individuals is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.

The judgement for Independence, choice and control is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.

The judgement for Responding to people’s immediate needs is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.

The judgement for Workforce wellbeing and enablement is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.