The Shores – Dorset SARC

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

We assessed 1 quality statement under this key question. Staff worked hard to accommodate patients’ diverse needs and promote the service to the wider community.

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

The judgement for Person-centred Care is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Care provision, Integration and continuity is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Providing Information is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Listening to and involving people is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

There was a helpful website giving patients information about the service and how to make an appointment. Patients could access the service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week either by self- referral or by referral from the police or social services. Sexual offences examiners (SOE) were available on-site Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. A rota operated outside of these hours and SOEs could attend the SARC within 2 hours if needed.

A portable colposcope was available, allowing staff to support patients who were unable to attend the SARC.

Despite recent staffing pressures, we were told urgent patient need had been met and critical forensic timescales had never been missed. There was partnership working with another SARC service (an hour’s drive away), to ensure continuity of service and reciprocated support.

The premises were fully accessible to wheelchair users, and although there were no dedicated disabled parking spaces immediately outside, they were available at a nearby public car park.

Staff had access to translation services for those who did not speak or understand English. There was a portable hearing loop to help patients with hearing impairments, although not all staff were aware of it, and it was not clear if it had ever been tested to ensure it worked.

We found that there was little information for patients in different languages, alternative formats, or designed in a way to help children understand the process. Patients were not asked about their sexuality, gender identity, preferred pronouns and religious needs so that staff could take these into account in the delivery of care.

An engagement worker was employed 4 days a week to promote the service more widely and had undertaken outreach work with several local organisations including the police, Bournemouth University, housing associations, prisons and a charity that provided support to sex workers.

The judgement for Equity in experiences and outcomes is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.

The judgement for Planning for the future is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Responsive key question.