Sexual assualt victims on Grand Manan will no longer need to wait to catch the ferry before getting help.
Administrative Director of Emergency Medicine and Ambulatory Care at the Horizon Health Network, Lori Lavric spoke about the new partnership with Atlantic Charters, a private air charter service based on Grand Manan Island, who will fly victims straight to Saint John for examination.
“It’s going to be very positive and certainly very integral for our access to victims of sexual assault and domestic partner violence.”
Speaking on behalf of Health Minister Ted Flemming, Justice Minister and Attorney General, Andrea Anderson-Mason says the provincial government has committed to enhancing access to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program on Grand Manan.
She adds the air transport service will be coordinated through the Grand Manan Hospital, where victims will report first, and is intended to give island residents timely access to the help they need.
“Prior to this, a person who was sexually assaulted in the evening had to wait all night to take the ferry the following day. The victim could not take a shower, change clothes, brush their teeth, or go to the bathroom.”
She adds, following the ferry trip from Grand Manan to Blacks Harbour, the victim would then need to drive to Saint John to undergo the sexual assault forensic medical examination.
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program includes services such as forensic evidence collection, patient counselling, medical care and preventative care for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as pregnancy testing.
Horizon Health Vice President Clinical and Chief Nursing Officer Geri Geldart says Horizon has the skilled nurses available to offer the specialized services.
“Transportation options, like the air ambulance, combined with telehealth technology really improve our ability to deliver timely, safe and quality care to victims of sexual assault on Grand Manan.”
The transport service is now available on the island.
