Healthcare and forensic medical services standards
Document Type
Standards
Summary
Healthcare and forensic medical services for people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse standards.
We published the healthcare and forensic medical services standards in 2017.
Legislation, policy and practice has meant the standards need to be updated.
The new standards are being drafted. It is planned for them to be published in Summer 2024. Services should continue to use the 2017 standards.
Overview of standards
Standard 1: Each NHS board demonstrates the leadership and commitment required for a co-ordinated response to meet the needs of people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse, including immediate clinical needs assessment, forensic examinations and aftercare.
Standard 2: Each NHS board ensures that people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse receive person-centred and trauma-informed care.
Standard 3: Each NHS board ensures that the facilities and equipment for forensic examinations are appropriate, safe and effectively managed.
Standard 4: Educational, training and clinical requirements Each NHS board ensures that staff have the knowledge, skills and competency to deliver healthcare and forensic medical services for people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse.
Standard 5: Each NHS board ensures that forensic examinations of people who have experienced rape, sexual assault or child sexual abuse are recorded using consistent documentation and data collection. The above additional report details the consultation process we followed to produce our final standards.