Services for rape, sexual abuse and trauma officially opened.
New facilities providing healthcare for people who have
experienced sexual assault or rape, and a pioneering service for
children and young people who have experienced harm and abuse,
have been opened.
The Sycamore Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS)
for adults in NHS Lothian was officially opened by Minister for
Public and Women's Health, , alongside two Bairns' Hoose
children's houses offering safe, child-friendly spaces for
children and young people following trauma.
Supported by nearly £3 million of Scottish Government funding,
the Sycamore, which has been accepting patients since 2023, and
Bairns' Hoose services, which became operational in April this
year, have been developed in partnership with NHS Lothian, Police
Scotland, Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity and local
authorities. They provide a coordinated response to people who
have experienced trauma, offering them access to the care they
need in a comfortable and welcoming setting.
Ms Minto said:
“The opening of these vital services is a significant step in
supporting victims of sexual assault, as well as ensuring that
young people and children have access to the specialised support
and care they need following trauma and abuse.
“The Sycamore and Bairns Hoose embodies the Scottish Government
vision to create safe, person centred environments in which
people can have their needs met under one roof.”
Alison MacDonald, Executive Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, said:
"We are proud to stand alongside our partners in launching the
new children's houses, an initiative that sets a new standard for
supporting children who have been abused or neglected.
"Children who have experienced abuse require unwavering support
and access to specialised services that address their unique
needs. The new facilities embody our commitment to providing
compassionate care and empowering patients on their path to
recovery.
Background
Additional quotes:
Councillor Fiona Dugdale, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education and
Children's and Family Services, East Lothian Council, said:
“We are committed to providing a trauma informed response for
children and young people who have experienced or witnessed abuse
and are pleased to be a partner in this progressive service.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families
Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
“Alongside our partners, all involved have worked hard to create
a safe, trauma informed space for children and young
people. The spaces have been designed drawing on the
principles of Bairns Hoose to create a quiet, supportive space
which can be tailored to individual needs.
“We are proud of what the partnership has achieved, keeping
children and young people's needs at the heart of service
design to ensure children and young people receive the support
they need at the earliest opportunity to support recovery.”
Cllr Connor McManus, Midlothian Council Cabinet Member for Health
and Social Care, said:
“We're very privileged to be among the partners for this vital
new service. It's crucially important for children to have safe
and welcoming spaces where they can access specialist services,
have their voices heard, and recover from their experiences.
“The opening of these facilities is a significant step towards
ensuring all children who experience the trauma of abuse and
neglect get the support they deserve.”
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson, Police Scotland said:
“This new facility puts the needs of children who have suffered
abuse and neglect at the heart of service delivery. Police
Scotland is a committed partner in providing this holistic,
multi-agency response to the individual needs of each child.”
Relevant links:
bairnshoosescotland.com |
Providing children and young people across Scotland with access
to trauma-informed recovery, support and justice
Turn to SARCS | NHS inform
