NHS apologises for "inexcusable failings" at centre for rape victims

The ‘whole system failure’ at the Haven centre for victims of rape and sexual assault affected 93 individuals. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

The NHS has apologised for “inexcusable failings” at a centre that examines victims of rape and sexual assault.

Samples that should have been forwarded to forensic laboratories for DNA testing had been not sent, even though benefits from samples that had been sent had been not reported back to those who had been referred to the centre by police or went there independently.

A complete of 93 patients had been caught up in the “complete system failure” at the Haven in Whitechapel, London, according to a previously unpublished independent report commissioned by the Barts NHS wellness believe in into events at the centre up to early 2012. The troubles led to the unit’s short-term closure and even though it has reopened, it even now does not offer you a 24-hour services.

The report discovered that bad forensic protocols and safeguarding problems had been raised by workers, but senior managers had not intervened. Though two members of workers at Barts Overall health have been subsequently dismissed, the report, released after a freedom of details request by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, explained there have been missed opportunities during the technique.

The crisis at the centre, a single of three Havens in the capital, echoed several of the failings identified by the Francis inquiry into the Mid-Staffordshire NHS foundation trust, which found shortcomings in basic standards, candour, managerial accountability, and instruction and assistance for workers.

The independent panel heard that the Whitechapel Haven was “an uncomfortable spot to work in”. Junior personnel have been especially fearful and there had been rumours of bullying that led to people leaving the centre. Members located the forensic examination suite cluttered with equipment that could result in cross-contamination and a “standard air of grubbiness and bad decoration”.

The Barts trust mentioned: “We are very sorry for the inexcusable failings at the Whitechapel Haven. As soon as we became aware that there was an problem in 2011, we took swift and fast action to guarantee that all the affected samples had been re-tested and contacted the people involved to offer you a full apology, assistance and counselling.”

It had commissioned the investigation, it said, “in buy to comprehend totally what led to this failure in care so that there could be no repetition”.

The believe in that formerly managed the centre, Barts and the London, had also carried out an audit of all data held at the Haven in Whitechapel considering that its opening in 2004, stated the believe in. All 3 Havens are now managed by King’s School Hospital NHS foundation believe in.

NHS England, which was established soon after the time of the incidents, is organising a meeting in February of clinicians caring for individuals following sexual assaults from across the nation to make certain lessons can be learned.

The Metropolitan police support explained it was operating to enhance the quantity of referrals to the three Havens. (The other people are in Camberwell and Paddington.) “We are committed to offering the best attainable support to victims of rape and sexual assault and would motivate all who have been subjected to these horrific offences to contact police who will assign a specially trained officer to offer assistance or look for suggestions from the Havens,” it said in a statement.

NHS apologises for "inexcusable failings" at centre for rape victims