People in the Barrie area who have experienced sexual assault or intimate partner violence can now access specialized treatment closer to home.
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital has expanded its Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
Robin Wanner, the program manager, says the move follows recognition that 50 per cent of their clients were from the Barrie area.
"So we came together to see what could be done to bring some care closer to home for this population in the Barrie area, and we were able to develop this model of care that's just being rolled out now."
Wanner says the service is now operating at RVH, with specialized nurses from the Orillia program providing care to patients who present to the Barrie hospital's emergency department.
The treatment centre has been operating at Soldiers' Memorial for approximately 25 years.
Its team includes Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, who are specially trained to provide forensic evidence collection for victims and survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
The centre also provides medical care, including STI treatment and prevention, HIV prevention and pregnancy prophylaxis. Other services include injury documentation and photography, safety planning, referrals to community resources and follow-up care.
A social worker is also available to provide counselling.
Wanner says the approach is trauma-informed and choice-based, meaning patients are given information about their options and decide what care they want.
"We'll always be sure to explain what options are available to them and just allow them to decide what they would like to proceed with," she said.
Police involvement is not required to access the service.
Wanner says clients can receive forensic evidence collection whether or not they choose to involve the police.
"The decision to involve police is up to the client," she said. "We're able to support them with that."
Patients who arrive at RVH's emergency department can be connected with the treatment centre through the emergency department staff.
Wanner says people can also call the service directly before going to the hospital.
A nurse is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to answer questions and discuss care options.
The program has a 60-minute response time once a call is received, Wanner said.
"If the patient is able to give us a call before their arrival, or if they're even thinking about coming, we can arrange a time to meet them so that there is no wait for them," she said.
The Barrie expansion is available to patients aged 12 and older following a sexual assault. People under 12 continue to be seen at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, where specially trained pediatricians are available to support their care.
The program also serves people of all genders.
Wanner says the Orillia centre sees approximately 150 patients each year, followed by about 320 additional follow-up visits.
The treatment centre works with emergency departments across Simcoe County, as well as women's shelters and other community support agencies.
Wanner says providing the service in Barrie should help remove transportation as a barrier for people seeking care after a traumatic experience.
"Being able to offer these services at RVH in a more convenient location for these clients really helps to reduce that barrier and improve their access to care," she said.
The Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre at OSMH is one of 37 hospital-based centres that make up the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres.
