PORT MOODY - The Fraser Health Authority is developing a new protocol to deal with sexual assault victims and other emergency patients after a woman was sent to three hospitals before getting treatment.

The woman went to Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody on March 25 after being sexually assaulted, but was redirected to Surrey Memorial because it has specialized sexual assault nurse examiners.

When she got there, no specialized sexual assault nurses were on duty and she was shuffled to MSA in Abbotsford, where she finally received treatment.

FHA spokesman Helen Carkner said the authority is "very sorry" for the reception the woman received at Eagle Ridge but said the triage nurse's decision to refer her to Surrey Memorial was appropriate. She conceded the nurse should have called SMH first to ensure a sexual assault nurse examiner was on duty or available.

The health unit has 21 sexual assault nurse examiners, with Surrey Memorial and MSA the only two hospitals offering the specialized service. There usually are specialized sexual assault nurses on call but none were available that night, Carkner said.

Sexual assault patients who don't have life-threatening injuries are usually referred to SMH or MSA because it can take up to two hours for an examination to ensure evidence isn't lost.

"It's an awful thing for anyone to go through and we're very sorry she didn't receive the reception she should have to make it easier for her but she did receive the treatment."

The triage nurse involved "feels very badly" about the incident and has been enlisted to develop a protocol to ensure emergency patients are dealt with appropriately, Carkner said.

This is cache, read story here