Honouring the lived experience: Rape and Sexual Assault‎ Victims Taskforce option appraisal report

Reduced Clinical Risk and avoiding harm to patients from care that is intended to help them. A safe service for sexual assault and rape victims would therefore provide:

• The right mix of workforce, medical, non-medical, social work, third sector

• A multi-disciplinary team approach to service delivery - right expertise and streaming to the right person/first time

• Clinical environment (age appropriate) and equipment that meets the needs of the person

• Meets the National Standards (HIS, 2017)

• Appropriate pathways for efficient uptake of services for safe and improved outcomes

Providing services based on scientific knowledge and best clinical standards and improved quality of Care and outcomes An effective service for sexual assault and rape victims would therefore provide:

• Sufficient staff working together in teams to ensure a responsive and flexible service

• The range of staff with the right skills available to meet all expected clinical conditions

• A 'fit for purpose' clinical environment to deliver evidence based care

• Training opportunities are available for the multi-skilled workforce

• Access to assessment/medication/ treatment (where indicated)

• Structures and mechanisms in place to utilise and deploy staff and resources effectively.

• Essential links between with health, social work and police Scotland.

• Greater opportunities for joint working, peer support within the workplace

• A sustainable and deliverable model that enables ongoing recruitment & retention opportunities for all staff groups

Care is responsive and appropriate to patients needs and patient is included in clinical decisions. A person-centred service for sexual assault and rape victims would therefore provide:

• People are listened to and treated with respect and dignity with confidentiality where possible

• People are treated by the right staff (professional/competence/values), with expertise (knowledgeable of needs, skilled) and supports (recovery supports for as long as required)

• Local services remain available at each of the local hospitals 'spokes'

• Support provided through availability of transport where clinical need is established

• Care is delivered within the timeframe as per waiting times standards

• Will improve the experience of people, families and service users

• People are seen by the right person in the right place within the right timeframe

Avoidance of waste including energy, supplies, equipment, resources including staff and ensuring a seamless journey through services An efficient service for sexual assault and rape victims would therefore provide:

• A service configured to meet evidence based demand

• Better utilisation of local services where required. (increased access)

• The available workforce has a range of knowledge and skills responsive to the needs of the client/service user groups

• Informed deployment of the workforce and resources to allow faster access to assessment, care and treatment.

• Efficient deployment of skills and knowledge 24/7

• The service is well resourced, financially viable and deliverable

Providing care that does not vary in quality because of geography, location or socio-economic status. All patients have access to a range of service provision An equitable service for sexual assault and rape victims would therefore provide:

• Equitable access to the centre of excellence for all who need to access the service

• Access to a workforce who are suitably qualified, competent and trained to meet the support, care and treatment needs and can reduce any risk of harm and manage the care and treatment sensitively and effectively

• Access to interpretation services where required to ensure meaningful communication with all service users

Reduction of harmful delays for those who give and receive care A timely service for sexual assault and rape victims would ensure:

• Sufficient workforce available to ensure timely access to the right person first time.

• Sufficient infrastructure in place to provide a comprehensive service

• Pursue 'best in class' (benchmarked nationally) performance to deliver the highest quality of care and ensure ease of access to support.