Ms Helen Shortt:

I will take this one, Chair. In response to Deputy Coveney, the purpose of the co-location is from a medical point of view. Paediatricians who undertake the forensic examinations and a medical examination of children can do it in a particular way because the child has not reached puberty. Once the child has reached puberty, it is more appropriate for the sexual assault treatment unit services to undertake the intimate examination. Because the model is for children up to 18 years, it made sense to consider the co-location of the sexual assault treatment unit with Barnahus.

In the design of the building for the west, and Mr. Brophy will come in on this further, it is designed to have two separate entrances and for the Barnahus to be separate from the sexual assault treatment unit. I appreciate what the Deputy has raised but the practical application is just that. Certainly, we will keep thinking about it, if it is occurring to those listening to us that it sounds a little strange.