§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether it is his policy that foundation hospitals will accommodate sexual assault referral centres; [129623]
(2) if he will make it his policy that in areas where there are no foundation hospitals in the short term sexual assault referral centres should be located at major general hospitals. [129624]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe development and funding of sexual assault referral centres is the responsibility of primary care trusts and the relevant local police force. Currently, a number of different models exist, which include centres located within or attached to hospitals. Encouraging the further roll-out of such centres is a matter for the Ministerial Committee on Sex Offending.