Hampshire - Treetops, Cosham Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Relocation

Consultation has concluded

Background

The existing Sexual Assault Referral Services (SARC) premises in Hampshire is at the Treetops Centre, Northern Road, Cosham PO6 2EP. The premises are owned by NHS Solent NHS Trust.

https://www.solent.nhs.uk/sarc/

Assessment of current premises

Recently, the NHS undertook a review of south east SARC services was undertaken to ensure that they are fit for for purpose in terms of capacity and the assess what work / upgrades are required to meet new forensic standards and UKAS accreditation standards.

These new UKAS standards come into effect in October 2025. They include improvements to quality management systems, staff competency, forensic processes, and new accommodation and facilities standards to ensure the integrity of evidence.

The review of the current premises in Cosham found that it was not suitable for future SARC needs and not suitable for alteration.

Alternative premises

Several alternative premises were identified as being potentially suitable, based on criteria that the new premises should be:

  • in proximity of Hampshire police’s operational teams
  • were within a one-hour travel time of all main Hampshire population centres, apart from the Isle of Wight, and
  • were within easy access to, the M27 corridor

Following assessments of these premises, Mariner’s House, Waterside Gardens, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 8SD was found to be the only suitable building suitable to be adapted to new standards.

Mariner’s House in Fareham is 5.3 miles (8.5 km) from the existing Treetops location and car travel time is typically 12 minutes along the M27. The new location remains with a one-hour travel time for all main Hampshire population centres apart from the Isle of Wight.

Fareham is part of a comprehensive bus network providing connections to and from the Town Centre, local centres, and other major destinations including Fareham Railway Station and Gosport Bus/Ferry Interchange and Portsmouth and Southampton ferry links to the Isle of Wight. Fareham Bus Station is located within the town centre and caters for most bus services including the BRT and National Express.

Fareham station serves as an interchange between the Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton, and London lines.

Your feedback

We are seeking your feedback to help us shape the new SARC and ensure future provision is fit for purpose.

You can share your views in the survey below, this should take around 10-15 minutes to complete.

Background

The existing Sexual Assault Referral Services (SARC) premises in Hampshire is at the Treetops Centre, Northern Road, Cosham PO6 2EP. The premises are owned by NHS Solent NHS Trust.

https://www.solent.nhs.uk/sarc/

Assessment of current premises

Recently, the NHS undertook a review of south east SARC services was undertaken to ensure that they are fit for for purpose in terms of capacity and the assess what work / upgrades are required to meet new forensic standards and UKAS accreditation standards.

These new UKAS standards come into effect in October 2025. They include improvements to quality management systems, staff competency, forensic processes, and new accommodation and facilities standards to ensure the integrity of evidence.

The review of the current premises in Cosham found that it was not suitable for future SARC needs and not suitable for alteration.

Alternative premises

Several alternative premises were identified as being potentially suitable, based on criteria that the new premises should be:

  • in proximity of Hampshire police’s operational teams
  • were within a one-hour travel time of all main Hampshire population centres, apart from the Isle of Wight, and
  • were within easy access to, the M27 corridor

Following assessments of these premises, Mariner’s House, Waterside Gardens, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 8SD was found to be the only suitable building suitable to be adapted to new standards.

Mariner’s House in Fareham is 5.3 miles (8.5 km) from the existing Treetops location and car travel time is typically 12 minutes along the M27. The new location remains with a one-hour travel time for all main Hampshire population centres apart from the Isle of Wight.

Fareham is part of a comprehensive bus network providing connections to and from the Town Centre, local centres, and other major destinations including Fareham Railway Station and Gosport Bus/Ferry Interchange and Portsmouth and Southampton ferry links to the Isle of Wight. Fareham Bus Station is located within the town centre and caters for most bus services including the BRT and National Express.

Fareham station serves as an interchange between the Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton, and London lines.

Your feedback

We are seeking your feedback to help us shape the new SARC and ensure future provision is fit for purpose.

You can share your views in the survey below, this should take around 10-15 minutes to complete.