Horizon Health Network to review case of rape victim told to return later at Fredericton ER

The health network will review its sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program after a Fredericton woman went to a Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital’s ED for a sexual assault forensic examination and was told to schedule an appointment for the next day. She was told no one trained to perform the exam was on staff or on call that night. After she called police for advice, an officer intervened and the hospital called in a nurse to help her. The health network explained there are five trained sexual assault nurse examiners and one full-time equivalent SANE coordinator in the Fredericton area and at least one should be on staff and available at all times. It appears staffing shortages led to there not being one available on the night in question. There are currently only 40 nurses trained to treat sexual assault survivors and evidence collection kits in the province.
Related:
Déclaration de la PDG : Expérience d’une patiente avec le programme SANE à l’Hôpital régional Dr Everett Chalmers du Réseau de santé Horizon - Réseau de santé Horizon
Major drop in sexual assault nurse examiners since 2015 - CBC News
Agressions sexuelles : le Nouveau-Brunswick a perdu beaucoup d’infirmières examinatrices - Radio-Canada
«Inacceptable» de détourner une victime d’agression sexuelle, dit la PDG de Horizon - L'Acadie Nouvelle (abonnement)
Hospital accountability a problem: health expert - Telegraph Journal (sub. req.)
System to blame, not nurses for rape test blunder: Union - Telegraph Journal (sub. req.)
Série d’incidents à l’hôpital de Fredericton : la communauté est inquiète - Radio-Canada
Le service médical en cas de viol devrait être élargi, croient des intervenantes - Radio-Canada