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19/02/2013
State's Only Dedicated Child Sexual Assault Unit Faces Closure
The State’s only dedicated children’s and adolescents sexual assault treatment service could be in danger of closing.
Opened in 2011, the Galway based unit plays a key role in providing immediate forensic examinations of children who have been sexually assaulted or raped.
However, the two doctors who run the facility have now handed in their resignations in protest over staff shortages.
Established as a voluntary service, consultant paediatrician Dr Joanne Nelson and consultant gynaecologist Dr Roger Derham, say they have been unable to get additional staffing cover in order to ease pressure at the unit and ensure there are expertly trained personnel available 24 hours a day.
Both Dr Nelson and Dr Derham work in other roles in the hospital.
They claim cover provided by an additional expert would not involve any extra cost.
The unit is considered by experts as the country’s only 24-hour acute sexual assault treatment service which can meet all a child’s needs in a single location, including assessment, treatment and interviews with gardaí or social services.
(H)
Opened in 2011, the Galway based unit plays a key role in providing immediate forensic examinations of children who have been sexually assaulted or raped.
However, the two doctors who run the facility have now handed in their resignations in protest over staff shortages.
Established as a voluntary service, consultant paediatrician Dr Joanne Nelson and consultant gynaecologist Dr Roger Derham, say they have been unable to get additional staffing cover in order to ease pressure at the unit and ensure there are expertly trained personnel available 24 hours a day.
Both Dr Nelson and Dr Derham work in other roles in the hospital.
They claim cover provided by an additional expert would not involve any extra cost.
The unit is considered by experts as the country’s only 24-hour acute sexual assault treatment service which can meet all a child’s needs in a single location, including assessment, treatment and interviews with gardaí or social services.
(H)
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