VICTIMS of sexual
assault in Donegal will soon be able to avail of
full forensic examinations at Letterkenny General
Hospital.
Funding has been allocated to train staff in the
forensic treatment of patients who are physically or
sexually assaulted.
The move, which follows public outcry at the lack of
services, was welcomed by local T.D., Deputy Niall
Blaney:
“Too often in the past, women who have suffered
assaults have had to travel some distances to
undergo examinations, but that day will soon be
over."
At least two staff members from the hospital will be
trained in forensic
examinations that are required by Gardaí following
sexual assaults. Training will take about a year,
meaning the service should be available locally by
the mid to end of 2008.
Currently, forensic exams are only carried out by
doctors in Letterkenny.
"To combat the national shortage of staff trained to
carry out such
examinations, the HSE is now providing for
specialist training for medical
and nursing staff to provide post-assault care and
forensic care,” added
Deputy Blaney.
“The difficulty arises when it is decided to pursue
a criminal investigation. For this, a full forensic
examination is required and doctors are not always
available to carry out such an exam.
"This is what leads to victims of assault having to
travel long distances under such traumatic
circumstances.”
HSE funding of €1.5m for 2007 and €2.5m for every
full year thereafter has been set aside to bring
about significant improvements in the care of sex
assault victims.
Deputy Blaney added: “This is a very positive step
for Letterkenny General Hospital. Nobody wants to
imagine the reality of facing such an assault
personally or in their family, but amenities close
to hand will at least make the after-experience
somewhat less traumatic." |
