Royal Preston Hospital

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• 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. Patient feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Children, young people and adults were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. Staff delivered care in a person-centred way, taking effective steps to protect privacy, maintain dignity and support the emotional wellbeing of patients throughout their journey with the service.

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

Although we were unable to speak directly with patients, we reviewed feedback collected by the service during the 12 months preceding the inspection. The service had received 102 feedback forms from children, young people and adults who had attended the SARC. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with patients describing the service as "amazing" and commenting that staff had made them "feel in control". Patients consistently reported being treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff were described as compassionate, calming and supportive.

On arrival at the SARC, patients were met by a crisis worker who explained their role, outlined the examination process, discussed available options and procedures, and gathered relevant background information. However, the waiting area was sparse in appearance, containing only basic furniture and limited resources to occupy children while waiting.

Staff demonstrated a compassionate, person-centred and trauma-informed approach to care. They explained how they adapted their communication style, language and tone to meet individual needs and help patients feel supported and understood. Staff emphasised the importance of building rapport, taking time with patients and providing clear, step-by-step explanations throughout the patient's journey. Children and young people were offered the opportunity to have a parent, carer or trusted adult present during the forensic examination if they wished.

Staff maintained patients' privacy, dignity and confidentiality throughout their stay. The SARC was not open to the public and access to the building was restricted to authorised staff. Patients had access to private bathroom and shower facilities following their examination. During examinations, dignity was protected using modesty sheets and portable privacy screens. Patient records were stored securely, and there were robust arrangements in place to ensure intimate images taken during examinations were managed confidentially and stored securely.

The post-examination room provided a welcoming environment. It was bright and well equipped with a television, games console, toys and books, and offered a range of refreshments. There were sufficient resources to help occupy and comfort children and young people while they waited. However, information about local community-based support services was limited, with no leaflets or information on display for patients to access. The service had recently revised its patient information leaflet to include a QR code linking to information on sexually transmitted infections, support services and national organisations. Once implemented, this should improve patients' access to information and ongoing support.

Age-appropriate care and comfort items were available following examinations to support patients' emotional wellbeing and recovery.

A welcoming enclosed outdoor seating area and garden had recently been developed to provide patients with a calm and peaceful environment whilst at the centre. Staff told us they participated in fundraising events at the SARC to raise funds to improve the environment and enhance patient experience.

Staff maintained contact with patients after their attendance at the SARC. All patients received a follow-up telephone call to check on their wellbeing, answer any questions and offer additional support where required. This helped ensure patients continued to feel supported beyond their initial contact with the service.

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.