Thames Valley - Solace Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre, SLOUGH

Consultation has concluded

Background

There are two SARC services in the Thames Valley. The current premises are:

  • the Solace Centre, Upton Hospital, Church Street, Slough SL1 2BJ, and
  • the Solace Centre, Police House, Queens Ave, Bicester OX26 2NR

This survey focuses on the SARC premises at the Solace Centre in Slough.

Assessment of current premises

Recently a review of south east SARC services was undertaken in accordance with a standard framework agreed, by NHS England, Police and PCC partners, to ensure that current premises are:

  1. fit for purpose in terms of capacity
  2. what work / upgrades are required to meet new forensic standards and new UKAS accreditation

These new UKAS standards come into effect in October 2023. They include improvements to quality management systems, staff competency, forensic processes, and new accommodation and facilities standards to ensure the integrity of evidence. SARCs not accredited by this date could therefore jeopardise the integrity of the evidence collected if they are not to the appropriate quality standard.

A review of the current premises in Slough was not suitable for future SARC needs and was not suitable for alteration.

Alternative premises

Several alternative premises in Maidenhead were identified as being potentially suitable, based on criteria that the new facility is:

  • in proximity of Thames Valley police’s operational teams
  • within the travel time indicators for the main Thames Valley population centres, to ensure local health needs are met

Following assessments of these premises, 80 Moorbridge Road, Maidenhead, SL6 8BW was found to be the only suitable location.

The premises at Maidenhead is 7.4 miles (11.9 km) away from the existing Slough SARC and is typically 20 minutes travel time away.

There are regular cross boundary bus and coach services that serve neighbouring towns such as Bracknell, High Wycombe, Slough, Staines and Egham. The Great Western Main Line runs east-west through Maidenhead.

Background

There are two SARC services in the Thames Valley. The current premises are:

  • the Solace Centre, Upton Hospital, Church Street, Slough SL1 2BJ, and
  • the Solace Centre, Police House, Queens Ave, Bicester OX26 2NR

This survey focuses on the SARC premises at the Solace Centre in Slough.

Assessment of current premises

Recently a review of south east SARC services was undertaken in accordance with a standard framework agreed, by NHS England, Police and PCC partners, to ensure that current premises are:

  1. fit for purpose in terms of capacity
  2. what work / upgrades are required to meet new forensic standards and new UKAS accreditation

These new UKAS standards come into effect in October 2023. They include improvements to quality management systems, staff competency, forensic processes, and new accommodation and facilities standards to ensure the integrity of evidence. SARCs not accredited by this date could therefore jeopardise the integrity of the evidence collected if they are not to the appropriate quality standard.

A review of the current premises in Slough was not suitable for future SARC needs and was not suitable for alteration.

Alternative premises

Several alternative premises in Maidenhead were identified as being potentially suitable, based on criteria that the new facility is:

  • in proximity of Thames Valley police’s operational teams
  • within the travel time indicators for the main Thames Valley population centres, to ensure local health needs are met

Following assessments of these premises, 80 Moorbridge Road, Maidenhead, SL6 8BW was found to be the only suitable location.

The premises at Maidenhead is 7.4 miles (11.9 km) away from the existing Slough SARC and is typically 20 minutes travel time away.

There are regular cross boundary bus and coach services that serve neighbouring towns such as Bracknell, High Wycombe, Slough, Staines and Egham. The Great Western Main Line runs east-west through Maidenhead.