HSE confirms sex assault unit will not be reopened

THE sexual assault treatment unit at Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, which was closed because of a lack of funding, will not be reopened, the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed yesterday.

This is in accordance with the report of a working group which looked at such services nationally and which has recommended that two extra units be established — in Galway and the Midlands.

However, a strong campaign is being carried out by the Kerry Rape Crisis Centre to get the Tralee unit reopened and people in Tralee, Killarney, Listowel and Dingle are being asked to sign a petition in support of the case, this weekend.

Kerry North Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan said a Kerry working group had reached agreement with the hospital towards resolving difficulties.

He said just €47,000 was needed to reopen the unit.

“This situation should never have been allowed to arise,” the deputy claimed.

Following the decision not to reopen the Tralee unit, victims from Kerry will continue to be sent to the unit at the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, Cork.

The Cork unit is staffed by a nurse manager and a team of nurses providing an on-call service, while a team of GPs provides medical cover.

The HSE said they would look at improving facilities for patients presenting in Tralee by providing a second treatment room with shower and toilet facilities for victims.

Kerry Rape Crisis Centre coordinator Vera O’Leary said having to travel a four to six-hour return journey to Cork added to the trauma of victims.

When they are expected to make a long journey for examination, even fewer victims report such crimes. Research has shown that reporting levels and those availing of counselling increase when dedicated services are available

But, victims who had to go to Cork for forensic medical examination did not go for counselling until months later.