PCC approves £2.6m funding deal to enhance trauma support
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has appointed a new healthcare provider to deliver high-quality trauma support and effective justice for adult victims of sexual violence.
Mountain Healthcare – the largest provider of Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services in the UK – has been commissioned to deliver all SARC services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland including forensic and crisis support for adult victims from October 2026.
The deal, worth around £2.6m over the next three years, involves a contribution of more than £200k from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC Rupert Matthews, who has co-commissioned the service in partnership with NHS England.
The service, operating from the area’s existing and recently refurbished SARC at Juniper Lodge in New Parks, Leicester, will ensure members of the public can access expert, trauma-informed care 24-hours-a-day, every day of the year.
SARCs are specialised medical clinics for people who have been sexually assaulted or raped. Alongside trauma-informed care, they undertake medical examinations to collect evidence to help secure justice.
Mountain Healthcare will provide a range of support and forensic services such as immediate crisis support including access to medicine, forensic medical examinations, holistic examinations and care for non-recent cases, collection and storage of forensic samples and comprehensive risk assessments.
Other responsibilities will include connecting patients to specialist counselling and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) support, supportive medical assistance such as emergency contraception and service referrals/follow-up calls.
Before the new contract commences, people requiring SARC support can continue to access existing services, regardless of whether they have reported their experience to the police or not.
Rupert Matthews said Mountain Heathcare had demonstrated strong evidence of quality and innovation, collaboration, social value principles, efficiencies and service sustainability in its bid – key criteria for the contract.
It had also evidenced a proven track record of improving access to services, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice.
Mr Matthews commented:
“I am pleased to welcome Mountain Healthcare onboard and look forward to working with the organisation as part of my ongoing mission to transform and enhance support for victims of these appalling crimes in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“Mountain Healthcare are experienced providers of Adult SARC Services both across the Midlands and nationwide, highly regarded for their compassionate, patient-centred and holistic approach and excellent clinical governance standards. These attributes saw the organisation become the first provider in the UK SARC sector to receive a UKAS recommendation for Accreditation for meeting the Government’s stringent standards in forensic healthcare.
“Victims of crime are paramount to my work and our criminal justice system. This new partnership represents a continuation of my relentless commitment to providing the highest quality support to victims of sexual violence, securing better justice and building trust and confidence in our vital SARC services.”
Charlotte Parish, Mountain Healthcare’s National SARC Director of Operations, said:
“We are delighted to have secured the contract to deliver these essential services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. This reflects Mountain Healthcare's commitment to high-quality, patient centred care. We look forward to working with local partners and stakeholders and to welcoming Juniper Lodge SARC into our network.”
Supporting Victims is a key priority in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, with the Commissioner vowing to provide the very best care and support that victims deserve through easily accessible services, even for those who do not wish to report a crime.