Rape victims are being left for hours in hospital waiting rooms wearing the same clothes they were assaulted in — this is the reality across parts of Queensland, an auditor-general's report has revealed.

Key points: The report says the lack of forensic staff could be prompting some women to give up on reporting rapes

The report says the lack of forensic staff could be prompting some women to give up on reporting rapes The auditor-general cited numerous cases of forensic examinations being refused, mainly due to absence of clinicians

The auditor-general cited numerous cases of forensic examinations being refused, mainly due to absence of clinicians From July, victims will be able to have evidence collected in hospitals without registering a complaint with police

It highlights a lack of qualified staff needed to conduct forensic examinations in some regional areas.

The damning report has outraged victim support groups.

Di Macleod from the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence backed the auditor-general's suggestion that the "insufficient staff" could have contributed to rape cases being dropped.

"It certainly compounds the trauma," she said.

"You've already been through a trauma, then you're going through a secondary trauma in the systems that are supposed to support and help you.

"Often we've heard over the years that people just leave the hospital and don't bother waiting because most want to go home and have a shower."

'Existing practices fall short'

The auditor-general found several sexual assault victims — including children — had been refused and had "issues in obtaining timely and appropriate medical examination services".

Sexual assault support services: 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732

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"For the 17 cases we reviewed, the main reason cited by hospital staff for refusing to conduct forensic medical examinations was the absence of trained clinicians," the auditor-general said.

"It is safe to say that existing practices fall short of the agreed approaches, procedures and principles … for responding to people who have experienced sexual assault."

Across Queensland, 66 clinicians are trained to perform medical examinations on sexual assault victims.

But in some regions, such as the Wide Bay, there are no qualified staff.

Victims in those areas often have to be driven by police for up to four hours to a hospital that has a qualified physician.

The Queensland Police Service raised concerns about the staffing shortage with Queensland Health in May 2018.

The auditor-general was also critical of government action on the issue, saying the problem had been known and documented since 2009.

"Some victims are experiencing long waits, unnecessary travel between or past hospitals, and the refusal of medical staff to conduct forensic medical examinations," the auditor-general found.

"This is not consistent with the standard of service the Government and community expect."

More nurses to be trained in rape examination

Health Minister Steven Miles said more staff would be trained from next week to boost qualified staff numbers, particularly in regional areas.

Problems facing rape victims: Lengthy wait for examinations, or transfer to another hospital hours away

Lengthy wait for examinations, or transfer to another hospital hours away Some hospitals refusing to perform forensic medical examinations

Some hospitals refusing to perform forensic medical examinations Examinations being refused unless they report the sexual assault to police

Examinations being refused unless they report the sexual assault to police A long wait for examination in the clothes they were assaulted in

A long wait for examination in the clothes they were assaulted in Delays likely prompting withdrawal of some sexual assault complaints

"It is very important to me as Health Minister that the health system responds to sexual assault victims in a compassionate and respectful manner that ensures they get the help they need," Mr Miles said.

"We have invested $1.39 million to increase training and education programs for doctors and nurses and aim to have medical professionals trained in forensic procedures in all public hospitals.

"An additional nursing position has also been created to support the reforms in each hospital and health service, and the roll-out of training across the state."

But Ms Macleod questioned whether the promised staff increase would adequately cover all areas.

"It's really important to get this right," she said.

"We don't want to be encouraging women to report to police to attend hospitals for examinations, if when they get there that's not going to happen.

"We're just compounding their trauma."

'Just in case' rape kits available soon

From next month, the State Government will allow victims to have evidence collected in hospitals without registering an official complaint with police.

The reform marks a major change in Queensland law, and is expected to ease the trauma around sexual assault testing.

"A rape kit can be conducted then stored for 12 months to give the victim time to consider if they wish to go ahead with a formal police complaint and investigation," Mr Miles said.

"Offering to perform a forensic medical examination without having to talk to police at that traumatic time enables victims to make an informed decision when they are mentally and emotionally ready to do so."