Proposed move of Birmingham Children and Young People’s Sexual Assault and Referral Centre.

News - 9 August 2024

In the West Midlands, NHS England, working in partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, hosts two sexual abuse and assault centres (SARCs) for children and young people.

Willow Tree Children and Young People's SARC based in Darlaston Health Centre provides care and treatment to those children and young people who have suffered recent abuse and assault while the Oasis Centre at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) cares for those who report historic assault and abuse.

However, there has been a steep increase in the number of children and young people who are not attending scheduled historic appointments at BCH – a third of these are not attended.

Reasons could be:
Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) is undergoing extensive building works and feedback to SARC staff is that families are struggling to find the clinic with revised directions.
Although BCH reimburses some parking costs this does not cover all costs which are sometimes £4 per hour.
BCH is within the clean air charge area adding to costs for families.
We propose moving the clinic to a location in Hodge Hill which also houses our adult SARC. Children and young people would be seen and cared for in completely separate facilities to adults.

If supportive, the move would take place around October/November 2024 with prior notice of official closure and transfer. Our Darlaston Health Centre is unaffected.

Please take a few minutes to answer the two questions on the link to help us assess any obstacles to the proposed move. We would be grateful for responses by Monday 9 September.

Share your thoughts, take part in a short survey.

Proposed move of Birmingham Children and Young People’s Sexual Assault and Referral Centre.

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