Hull Royal Infirmary

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 received thorough assessments, including follow ‑up needs, and specialist pathways such as FGM. Staff made appropriate referrals, provided required medications, carried out routine peer reviews of each case, and ensured practice remained aligned with updated clinical guidance. Staff understood the importance of seeking informed consent.

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

On arrival at the SARC patients were greeted by a nurse and paediatric consultant and received a comprehensive assessment of their needs. All examinations were non-acute and fell outside the forensic evidence collection window. However, any injuries identified were documented and included the use of a body map. In addition, assessments of patients’ physical and mental health, post sexual assault health and other factors such as family life, including potential ongoing risk were carried out.

Patients who had experienced suspected female genital mutilation could also access the SARC. Staff had received additional training; a policy was in place to inform decision making and examinations were completed by a contracted specialist.

Where necessary the SARC staff made referrals to relevant services for follow on support, such as local Children and Young People Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ChiSVA) services. The SARC referred patients to other services, such as sexual health for any follow-on care needed.

Following a full assessment, patients were provided with any required prescribed medication, such as hepatitis B vaccination or emergency contraception. Patient records that we reviewed were detailed and described the care and treatment offered and provided to patients, as well as any follow up actions.

Staff routinely peer reviewed each case following its completion. This involved a review of the notes and any colposcope images that had been taken and checking that appropriate care and treatment had been provided to the patient. Additional peer review had commenced between staff at the Sheffield hub and the Anlaby Suite. A colposcope is a specialist piece of equipment which is used to capture magnified images of the cervix, vulva, and vagina as part of the examination. Staff spoken with told us that they felt all patients were provided with the emotional support they needed during their time at the SARC.

SARC leaders ensured that updates to guidance were made available to staff, such as when changes to NICE or Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicines (FFLM) guidance were made.

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.

Staff understood the importance of gaining consent from patients or their responsible adult prior to carrying out any examinations. Staff consistently reviewed patients’ consent throughout their time at the SARC. Children and young people were supported to communicate and make decisions to enable the service to deliver person-centred care and treatment in line with their best interests.

Patient records we viewed documented consent, capacity, and choice in relation to physical examination, management of intimate images, information sharing, and onward referrals.

Staff understood the importance of gaining consent from younger children, even where their age meant they could not formally give consent.

Training provided to staff included the Mental Capacity Act and additional training on consent and capacity. Staff we spoke with were aware of the requirements of Gillick competence and Fraser guidelines.