The HSE has said National Guidelines on Sexual Assault Treatment, originally developed in 2006, are currently being reviewed with a revised version envisaged to be published towards the end of the year.
Once published, the revised national guidelines will help determine the feasibility of having a satellite sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) in Kerry, which ceased in October 2004, the HSE South said.
The HSE region revealed that a statement of need for a new women’s health services unit at Kerry General Hospital has been developed for consideration in the Health Budget 2011 National Estimates as a priority area for targeted investment, once same becomes available.
The Sexual Assault Treatment Service had been implemented on an unfunded pilot basis at Kerry General in 2002, with clients treated in a specialised gynaecological outpatient area.
The pilot service ceased in October 2004 and funding was not secured for a permanent service; the outpatient area in which clients were seen is now fully utilised with the expansion of gynaecological services at the hospital.
By Lloyd Mudiwa – Irish Medical Times
