Devon and Cornwall SARC Exeter – Patient Leaflet
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Non-recent cases (more than 7 days since be a telephone call from our specialist the incident) will also be assessed through nurse but may also be a face-to-face the Exeter SARC and referred to the right appointment for clinical review. support organisations. Following every medical assessment, All referrals should be made a report is compiled summarising the through the single point of access at assessment and any clinical findings or www.sarchelp.co.uk or via 0300 303 4626 further action required. This will normally to ensure access to medical and support be shared with other professionals services (we will make sure that you get including police, social care and your the right treatment and support from the GP. This will only be done with your right people). permission. Devon & Cornwall SARC What happens after an How to access the service Sexual Assault Referral Centre Exeter assessment? Call 0300 303 4626 or fill in a quick The medical assessment will include Get help! form at www.sarchelp.co.uk and developing a plan for on-going care and we will contact you back. Visitor Information support. This may include referring to other professionals or organisations, with How to find us your permission. The Exeter SARC is based at; We will provide a routine follow-up Unit 4 Kew Court approximately two weeks after the Pynes Hill initial medical assessment. This will often Rydon Lane Exeter Our Sexual Assault Referral Centres EX2 5AZ (SARCs) are run by the NHS and offer PALS medical, practical and emotional support The Patient Advice and Liaison Service after rape or sexual assault. Devon and (PALS) ensures that the NHS listens to Cornwall SARC operate SARCs in Truro, patients, relatives, carers and friends, Plymouth and Exeter including a dedicated answers questions and resolves concerns paediatric service for children and young as quickly as possible. If you have a people, which is based in Exeter. query or concern call 01271 314090 or email: [email protected]. You can also visit the PALS and Information Centre in person at North Devon District More information about sexual Hospital, Barnstaple. Alternatively, it assault referral can be found at: may be possible for us to arrange an www.sarchelp.co.uk appointment in your area. www.sarchelp.co.uk Telephone number 0300 303 4626 2019 © Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Who is the service for? about what to do next and how we can They will take samples, such as swabs help. We can arrange for a doctor or from anywhere you have been kissed, This service is for women, men and nurse to examine you and check that you touched or had anything inserted. They children, who have, or may have been, are OK. They can also carry out a Forensic will also take urine and blood samples raped or sexually assaulted. The service Medical Assessment to collect and store and occasionally hair, depending on covers Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of forensic evidence in case you change your the information you provide about Scilly. mind later and would like to support a the assault. They may also retain some police investigation. clothing and other items. If you have been sexually The forensic examination will go at your assaulted What happens when I arrive? pace and you will be given time to decide If you have been sexually assaulted and When you arrive at the SARC, a crisis what happens to you. You can choose if want to involve the police then call 101 or worker will meet you. They are specially there are parts of the examination that 999. A specially trained officer will speak trained to support and care for you from you don’t want and you can also change to you about what has happened and will the moment you arrive. The crisis worker your mind at any time. arrange an appointment with the SARC if will introduce you to your nurse or People sometimes worry about having required. doctor. They will ask you some questions a forensic medical assessment however If you are unsure or do not want to to determine what medical care you the process can be a very positive and involve the police then call us on need and what support might be helpful therapeutic experience. It allows the 0300 3034626 or fill in a quick Get help! afterwards. chance to discuss any concerns, receive form at www.sarchelp.co.uk. One of our If you have been sexually assaulted you reassurance and access any medical care specially trained staff will talk to you don’t have to have a forensic medical or support you may require. examination, however it can provide Other formats useful evidence to support a police Where will the assessment take investigation. place? If you need this information Acute forensic medical assessments in another format such as What is a Forensic Medical (within 7 days of the incident) are done audio tape or computer Assessment? at the Exeter SARC. The Exeter SARC disc, Braille, large print, The examination is carried out by a doctor provides a private and calm environment or nurse specially trained in sexual assault with specialist staff to help make you feel high contrast, British Sign forensic medicine. as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Language or translated into Children and young people under the The doctor or nurse will ask some age of 18 are also treated at our specialist another language, please questions – for example, about your children’s unit here. telephone the PALS desk on medical health, the assault or any recent 01271 314090. sexual activity. They will examine you and look for any injuries you may have. .