Additional Information for Healthcare Professionals
GPs
If patients disclose a sexual assault to you please offer them the options of care as described here.
We require that an appointment be made in advance of a patient’s attendance. While in the SATU, patients may be offered emergency contraception and Hepatitis B vaccination. Following risk assessment some patients may be prescribed post exposure prophylaxis for HIV with appropriate follow up with the Infectious Disease department of the Mater Hospital. All patients who attend SATU are offered the choice of a summary of their care to be sent to their GP.
National guidelines
Follow these guidelines when caring for anyone over the age of 14 who has been raped or sexually assaulted.
Resources
SATU information video (Youtube)
SATU information leaflet
SATU information poster
Contact your local SATU for physical copies of our leaflets and posters.
Translated resources
Learn about sexual assault services, Rape Crisis Centres and Sexual Assault Treatment Units in:
• Ukrainian
• Russian
Download the SATU information poster in:
• Arabic
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Romanian
• Russian
• Spanish
Sexual assault forensic examination training courses
Training for Specialist Nurses/ Midwives
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Clinical Nurse/Midwives are registered nurses and midwives who have completed specialised postgraduate education and training in the care of the patient who has experienced sexual assault.
The next Post Graduate Higher Diploma in Nursing – Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) will commence in September 2022. This is a full-time programme delivered over 1 calendar year. This programme is delivered by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in partnership with the HSE, and is presently run as a sponsorship scheme.
Please keep up to date with the HSE/HBS recruitment for information on recruitment campaigns from individual hospital groups. You may also contact Ms Sarah O’Connor saoconnor@rotunda.ie for further information.
Training for Medical Doctors
The SATU services welcomes contact from medical doctors who plan to work as forensic medical examiners (FME). In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “Introduction to Sexual Assault Forensic Examination for Doctors Course” has been revised to be delivered in a blended online and in-person manner. As well as on-the-ground training in your local SATU, the course includes online material, for independent access at your convenience, and a face-to-face day for history-taking and clinical skills training several times per year.
To register your interest in SATU training, please contact Dr Andrea Holmes SatuGalway.HseWest@hse.ie or Ms Sarah O’Connor saoconnor@ROTUNDA.ie to register for the course, and your local SATU to discuss onsite training.