Exclusive: NHS ‘covered up’ scandal at Whitechapel Haven for rape victims

The NHS was accused tonight of suppressing a damning report that found Mid Staffordshire-type failings at a pioneering centre for rape victims.


The confidential report, obtained by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism for The Independent, found basic forensic protocols were routinely breached at the London centre, which was set up to provide a “gold standard” in support for rape victims, and to improve conviction rates.

Dozens of samples taken from victims of sexual attacks that should have been sent for forensic analysis were found left in a fridge, according to the report, which also exposed “multiple deficiencies” in the unit’s dealings with children and vulnerable adults.

Staff at the unit described working in “an oppressive, tense environment” and told investigators that they dreaded their shifts but were afraid to complain to managers.

The report concludes that many of the problems “echoed the underlying failures identified” as part of the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire scandal. But until now the report, commissioned by Barts NHS Trust into the “whole system failure” at the Whitechapel Haven, has not been made public – despite the unit’s temporary closure after the problems came to light last year.

Tonight Barts, which ran the Whitechapel centre, apologised for the “inexcusable failings” but insisted it had not attempted to hide the problems identified in the report.

read more at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/exclusive-nhs-covered-up-scandal-at-whitechapel-havenfor-rape-victims-9026312.html

This is shameful. All those victims let down.

The Independent wrote:* Samples from 93 alleged rape victims had not been passed on to the police forensic service for analysis.

* The unit had a grubby examination suite that “did not meet the standards required in terms of a safe forensic area”.

* Criminal exhibits were stored in plastic bags, which can cause evidence to deteriorate, and contaminated clothing was mixed with clean items.

Absolutely disgusting

feelthelove wrote:

The Independent wrote:* Samples from 93 alleged rape victims had not been passed on to the police forensic service for analysis.

* The unit had a grubby examination suite that “did not meet the standards required in terms of a safe forensic area”.

* Criminal exhibits were stored in plastic bags, which can cause evidence to deteriorate, and contaminated clothing was mixed with clean items.

Absolutely disgusting

Grubby! can you believe it?!
Ours is very basic no home comforts in the before examination bit because it is forensically cleaned after each use.
This is shocking