When you arrive at the SARC medical suite a crisis worker will meet you. They are specially trained to support and care for you from the moment you arrive.
You will have time alone with your crisis worker to talk through your options, what to expect and follow on support.
The crisis worker will introduce you to your nurse or doctor. they will ask you some questions and your answers will:
- Help them decide what examination needs to be done
- Identify what samples should be collected.
- Identify any medical needs they can help you with, such as giving you the morning after pill or referring you to a sexual health clinic
- Help them decide what support might be helpful to you afterwards.
If I have a medical assessment who would be there? Can I bring someone with me?
If a medical assessment is required, you can come alone or you can bring someone you trust and feel safe with. You will also have a crisis worker who can sit with you and support you whilst you have your medical assessment.
You will also be offered forensic options during your assessment.
There will be a doctor or nurse, who will ask you questions and do a medical examination and collect any samples that are required.
If you have reported to the police, there will also be a specially trained officer who will write down your account and record what evidence is collected.
How long will a medical assessment take?
A medical assessment will be made to suit you.
We aim to complete it as soon as we can, but we all also work at your pace and we can go as fast or slow as to suit your needs.
Having forensic options may require additional time, so the length of the medical assessment can vary and it may take a few hours for us to complete everything.
The examination does not hurt and you can have breaks or ask us to stop at any time.
I have learning difficulties
If you have learning difficulties, you may find it helpful to complete a Hospital Passport. This gives staff looking after you important information about you. Please ask our staff to read it.
You can find out more about what happens at a SARC by watching this video: