Victims seeking rape kits at some Queensland public hospitals transferred an hour's drive away
The ABC can reveal victims who present at public hospitals north of Brisbane in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Kilcoy are being transferred to the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital (RBWH) in Herston for forensic examination.
Sexual assault counselling service Laurel Place said it was aware of both adult and child sexual assault victims being sent from Caboolture to RBWH or Queensland Children's Hospital for examinations.
Executive Director of Laurel Place, Lisa McLean, said victims were also transferred less frequently to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
She said Laurel Place was aware "that such delays may result in victims deciding not to proceed with forensic examinations and reporting".
"Laurel Place advocates for timely, coordinated and trauma-informed responses for victims following sexual assault,' Ms McLean said.
"Delays in testing, which place an additional emotional burden on victims at a highly stressful time … require them not to shower … and to remain in a hospital environment … is incongruent with this approach."
A spokesperson from Metro North Hospital and Health Service said RBWH "provides the service for our hospitals and has 47 kits in stock [as of 14 August]."
"Patients are either brought directly to RBWH or transferred if they present at one of our other hospitals," they said.
"They have processes for managing clinical supplies and reordering."
A Queensland Health spokesperson said "patients who are transferred to another hospital are supported in a way that is respectful of their personal preference".
The spokesperson said the state's public hospital and health services have "sufficient supply of forensic medical examination kits, specially-trained staff to perform forensic medical examinations, and telephone access to forensic physicians for advice".
"More than 90 per cent of people who present to one of our emergency departments and disclose a sexual assault are accepted into care within 10 minutes," the spokesperson said.
"There are now more than 880 clinicians statewide trained to deliver forensic medical examinations — more than double last year."
A ministerial directive issued in 2023 by then-health minister Shannon Fentiman mandated most Queensland public hospitals to ensure that sexual assault victims presenting at emergency departments are seen by appropriately trained staff within 10 minutes.
A press release issued by the minister at the time said this would require 26 public hospitals to "ensure that trained staff are available to administer forensic tests 24-hours a day."
The directive said if an "exceptional circumstance arises where a hospital transfer is required, the Clinical Care Pathway must ensure that the person is supported in a trauma informed way throughout the entire process".
It was issued after an alleged teenage rape victim left a hospital without undergoing an examination after waiting three hours and being told there were no trained staff available to perform one.
Queensland's Health Minister Tim Nicholls said improving care for sexual assault victims was a priority for the government.
"We promised a review into the current state of sexual assault care, and we delivered on that promise within 100 days of being elected," Mr Nicholls said.
"The Crisafulli government is committed to doing the work and more will be done."
Mr Nicholls said, "any person presenting to a Queensland Health facility disclosing sexual assault will be accepted into care and commenced on the most appropriate care pathway".
"While care pathways differ to meet local needs, all pathways are underpinned by compassionate and trauma-informed care," he said.
The mother of the alleged rape victim — a teenager — whose experience prompted the ministerial directive told the ABC the reports angered her.
"[Hospitals] are expecting someone who has been traumatised by a sexual assault to … travel to another hospital to essentially seek what is crucial in not only a criminal sense but a healing one too," Stephanie* told ABC News.
"No wonder victims don't come forward."
The Executive Officer of the Queensland Sexual Assault Network, Angela Lynch, said it seemed there was an uneven hospital response across the state.
"Some responses have increased, but some rural and regional areas continue to experience significant delay," she said.
Ms Lynch said undertaking rape kits in a "seamless" and "timely" manner is a critical step in responding to both healthcare and justice needs of victim-survivors.
"Regional victim-survivors should not be discriminated against because of where they live and deserve an appropriate service response."
Shadow Health Minister Mark Bailey called on the LNP government to take immediate action to rectify the issue.
"No rape survivor should be turned away and sent hours down the road for help after such a traumatic crime," he said.
"This is a basic failure in care, and victims deserve immediate treatment and support wherever they present."
Contact our investigative reporter on Gillespie.Eden@abc.net.au to share news tips.
*Name has been changed.
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