HEALTHCARE services for victims of rape and sexual assault will be improved through £8.5 million of investment from the Scottish Government to health boards, it has been announced.

The investment aims to support the five-year plan of a Government task force established in 2017 and led by chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood, aiming to improve services. It is hoped health boards will follow the example of NHS Forth Valley, where a unit aimed at making examinations following rape and sexual assault less traumatic, is set to open in 2019.

Claire Montgomery, advocacy worker at Forth Valley Rape Crisis, added: “The new NHS Forth Valley forensic unit is going to be a great asset.

“Having a variety of other relevant services under one roof is beneficial for survivors, making sure people have access to the services they need that can support them.