General News
5 June, 2024
Forensic kits upgraded by North West Hospital and Health Service
The new equipment brings the region up to speed with the rest of Queensland.
North West Hospital and Health Service says it has continued its education on best practices for assisting sexual assault victim-survivors with the introduction of an improved Forensic Medical Examination Kit (FMEK).
With an area as large as the North West, core topics on sexual assault treatment run out of Brisbane can be accessed 24/7, and the NWHHS runs additional modules at least every two months on topics such as; supporting the patient, domestic abuse, and issues relating to vulnerable people.
The new FMEK’s are a significant improvement on the old testing kits including everything needed to ensure that individuals across the North West receive the same high-quality service as the rest of the country.
Within the Mount Isa Hospital, there is always someone on call to assist with a presenting victim-survivor over the age of 14 years, and any patients younger than 14 years old will be able to see a trained paediatrician at Mount Isa who will work under the direction of Queensland Children’s Hospital.
For remote facilities, a forensically trained medical officer can dial in to provide advice for an assault victim. The patient can also request to be transferred to Mount Isa Hospital if they prefer.
For nurse-only outposts such as Dajarra, initial care can be provided, and a transfer arranged to Mount Isa for assessment.
Executive Director of Medical Services Dr Anthony Bell said the new kits and were a significant improvement to service for a sexual assault victims.
“Ten years ago, swabs could only be taken up to three days after the incident, but now it may be up to seven days depending on the details of the incident, however that’s not to discourage historical incidents as they can still be investigated without a swab,” he said.
“Unfortunately, sexual assault is still an issue in our communities, and it is our goal to work with community services and victims to reduce the impact of assault.”
Senior medical officer Dr Julia De Boos, notes how a victim-survivor can access the assessment.
“A victim-survivor can disclose to anyone in the health service that an assault has occurred, and they will then be transferred to a person appropriate to that area who will contact the sexual assault assessment service (SAAS),” she said.
“The SAAS will then discuss the available options with the patients as swabs will not always need to be taken and help will be provided to anyone who asks.”