Follow-up

Referral to appropriate services should be offered and enacted following victim consent. This may include social services, Victim Support, a Community Safety Unit or other organisations.

In the event of risk factors for blood-borne virus or bacterial exposure, consider follow up with a sexual health/ GUM clinic in 2-3 weeks, or earlier if PEP has been started, as per local protocol.

Psychosocial care can often be provided by a SARC; however, if a patient declines SARC involvement, the patient can be referred to their GP for ongoing support.

If there are immediate concerns regarding the patients mental health, risk of suicide or self-harm, local liaison psychiatry teams should be involved in patient care while they are in the ED.