A sexual assault treatment unit will open in the city within the next few weeks. The facility will initially be based in a temporary premises which is understood to be on the west side of the city close to University Hospital Galway. It will eventually be located in a permanent premises to be built on the Merlin Park Hospital campus.
In a statement issued at a meeting of the HSE’s regional health forum west this week the Hospital Network Manager Western Hospitals’ Group outlined that a nurse has undergone training in Dublin and completed her course in January 2009.
“She is currently working in University Hospital Galway pending leasing arrangements being finalised.
“We hope to open the sexual assault unit in a temporary facility in the first quarter of 2009 pending the building of the permanent facility on the Merlin Park Hospital Campus. Approval has been granted for the recruitment of an administration post to support this service and recruitment of this post is being progressed.”
Cllr Catherine Connolly recently hit out at the delay in setting up the facility, which will cater for children and adult females and males. It was originally expected to open in autumn 2007.
The unit will provide a consultant led service which will promote multidisciplinary work involving gardai, medical personnel, rape crisis counsellors, friends and family support, according to Deputy Frank Fahey who originally announced details of the initiative.
“Medical examination areas will be used for the sole purpose of conducting forensic medical examinations. Forensic cleaning will follow each examination to reduce the chance of cross contamination.”
The availability of this unit in Galway will provide a more “conducive” setting to building a rapport with support personnel, such as rape crisis counsellors, for ongoing counselling and support, he said.
