After seeing a triage nurse upon arrival, the infant and her carer were left in the waiting room for more than four hours before nursing staff realised the sexual assault team had not been notified.

The allegation that the girl had been sexually assaulted has been investigated by the Department of Community Services and police who found no evidence to substantiate the claim.

However, since this incident in April, staff at Wagga Base Hospital have been re-educated on how to deal with sexual assault patients in the emergency department.

Under the Greater Southern Area Health Service protocols for the treatment of alleged sexual assaults, the baby and her carer should have been seen by a health professional within 30 minutes of their arrival.

Instead, it was after midnight before nurses realised they had not been seen to.

Normally, alleged sexual assault patients are also taken out of the busy emergency department waiting room and taken somewhere quiet so they can have some privacy.

The error has left Minister for Health Reba Meagher blaming yet another “miscommunication” for the lengthy and distressing wait experienced by the girl’s carer.

“I am advised the child in question was triaged on arrival in the emergency department and notification to the sexual assault team was discussed,” she said.

“Two staff members were under the impression that the other had contacted the sexual assault team. As soon as it was realised this had not taken place, the sexual assault team was immediately notified and a team member arrived shortly after to provide support and assistance.”

She said the hospital had since put up signs to remind staff of the sexual assault protocols.

The minister said that all required protocols were followed once the sexual assault team had been notified.

If you suspect a child or young person is at risk of being neglected or physically, sexually or emotionally abused, the Department of Community Services asks that you report it to the DoCS Helpline on 132 111 (TTY 1800 212 936), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.