Sexual assault victims in Scotland are being forced to wait up to two days without washing before being examined by doctors.

The care some victims receive was branded "unacceptable" by policing watchdog HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.

In a scathing report, HMICS said services north of the border lag behind the rest of the UK and made a series of recommendations for improvement.

Some victims are reportedly given the choice between being examined immediately by a man or waiting up to 48 hours for a female doctor.

"This leads to victims consenting to an examination in circumstances where they are uncomfortable, simply to get it over with," HMICS said.

There are 63 doctors in Scotland qualified to examine sexual assault victims, but only 19 are women.

One victim examined by two male doctors told HMICS: "I felt like a piece of meat, not a live human being who has just been through extreme trauma.

"I did not want any man anywhere near me and certainly not touching me. Because I wanted all this to be over, I didn't feel able to voice this."

One teenage girl with learning difficulties who wanted to be examined by a woman doctor had to wait more than seven hours without washing.

Abused children in the Highlands and Islands often have to travel up to 113 miles to be examined, causing "unacceptable" delays, said HMICS.

"It would make more sense for a paediatrician to travel to where the child is instead of the child, carer and police officers making a journey that compounds the distress of the child and carers," the watchdog said.

Children who have been sexually assaulted in Orkney and Shetland must travel to Aberdeen, while youths in the Western Isles are sent to Glasgow.

HMICS said: "Not only does this compound the trauma of the victim, but it can also deter other victims from coming forward."

It said there are "significant variations" in the way forensic examinations are carried out in Scotland and noted there is no process to ensure the quality of care.

The Archway, Scotland's only dedicated centre for sexual assault victims, is closed overnight and at weekends. HMICS said this meant victims faced a "two-tier service".

HMICS said: "The evidence in this review confirms the need for national standards, and highlights wider issues affecting the quality of service delivered to victims of sexual crime.

"The review shows that significant disparity in the services currently provided, and supports the need for further investment in healthcare professionals, premises, and equipment.

"The priority for forensic medical examinations should be to address the immediate health needs and future recovery of patients, with the contribution to potential criminal justice proceedings being a secondary consideration."

HMICS made ten recommendations for improvement.

Sandy Brindley, national coordinator of Rape Crisis Scotland said: "We have had significant concerns for some time about the response to the immediate needs of people in Scotland who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

"The least we should be able to offer someone who has just been through the trauma of rape is an examination by female doctor in a suitable environment, with appropriate follow up to address their health and support needs.

"This is not currently available for most rape survivors in Scotland. We welcome today's announcement of the new implementation group, and hope that it will lead to meaningful change in how we respond to people across Scotland who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

"Scotland's response to rape survivors must be more than a postcode lottery."

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has been commissioned to develop new standards for forensic examination of sex attack victims. They are intended to codify how evidence is gathered and improve care.

Chief medical officer for Scotland Dr Catherine Calderwood said:"I have seen in my professional career the severe trauma of a sexual assault. It is absolutely vital that victims are not put under further strain by a system that should be serving their best interests.

"It is critical that all partners on the group work together so we can develop a clear and consistent trauma informed service for anyone who requires to undergo forensic examination."

Scottish Government justice secretary Michael Matheson added: "The current provision of services for victims of rape and sexual assault is provided by motivated and committed professionals but more needs to be done to create a consistently high standard of service across Scotland.

"I am grateful that the chief medical officer has agreed to convene a group of key experts to ensure NHS boards are in a position to meet new National Standards and to examine closely the concerns and recommendations made by HMICS."