Urgent need for Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Mid-West - O'Meara

Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary, Ryan O’Meara, has said it is “completely unacceptable” that victims of sexual assault in the Mid-West are forced to travel to Cork for follow-up healthcare, and has called for a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) to be established in the new Nenagh Primary Care Centre when it opens.

Deputy O’Meara has stated that there is currently no SATU in Tipperary and across the Mid-West, and that health checks are not provided as part of the out-of-hours forensic examination service that is available in Limerick.

“At the moment, the only service available in the region is a Forensic Medical Examination service in Limerick. This is not the same as a SATU and does not remotely provide the full range of care that victims need,” he said.

“Individuals who attend the current service in Limerick and require follow‑up health checks after an assault must travel to Cork to receive that care. It is totally unacceptable that people must travel for hours for basic.

Deputy O’Meara said the current system creates barriers for victims.

SEE NEXT - PICTURES: Roscrea's schoolchildren celebrate their Confirmation

“In the Mid-West, a victim must first contact An Garda Síochána to access the forensic examination service in Limerick. If there were a SATU in the region, people could access care without having to take that step straight away.”

He added that the supports available in other regions are missing in the Mid-West.

“SATUs provide responsive, patient-centred care for people of all genders and gender identities aged 14 years and over who have experienced rape or sexual assault. They provide medical care, support services, and the option to store forensic evidence for up to a year, giving people time to decide what they want to do.

"That option is not available in this region. The current service in Limerick, while valuable, does not provide the full level of care a SATU offers,” he said.

Deputy O’Meara raised a Parliamentary Question with the Minister for Health in February asking what considerations had been given by her department to open a SATU in the HSE Mid-West region.

This was referred to the HSE, who, in response, stated that there were currently no plans to establish a SATU in Limerick.

Following this, Deputy O’Meara raised further Parliamentary Questions in March, asking what data is used to determine where SATUs are located, and underscoring, once again, the urgent need for a dedicated SATU in the Mid‑West.

In sharing the HSE’s response, Deputy O’Meara said the situation must now be addressed as a matter of priority.

READ NEXT: Roscrea racecar driver excels in a very different type of race in Italy!

“The HSE has now informed me, the relevant stakeholders are actively engaging with the National Clinical Lead for SATUs to review the situation and determine the next steps required to progress the establishment of a SATU in the region.

"This is welcome, essential and must be a matter of priority. The HSE Mid-West region is the only HSE region in the country without a fully functioning SATU.

“In response to this, I have also submitted a Parliamentary Question asking that Nenagh be considered as the location for this service. The new Nenagh Primary Care Centre, which is due to open soon, is a strong and practical option.

“I am urging the HSE and the Minister to progress with this as soon as possible, to ensure the Mid-West has access to the same level of care as the rest of the country.”