Lawyers representing a woman, who claims her allegation of rape against Jimmy Savile's brother at a south-west London hospital was ignored for over two decades, said they are determined to gain justice for her.

It comes after a new report, released to the public for the first time on Thursday (February 26), revealed details of Jimmy Savile's abuse at hospitals across the UK, and also confirmed her claims about his brother were not acted upon.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claims she was unable to bring herself to speak to anyone for 12 years regarding the rape and sexual assault at Springfield Hospital in 1979, where Johnny Savile worked.

But, despite eventually finding the courage to tell hospital staff, the police and her GP of the incident, no action was taken to investigate the claims.

Johnny Savile died in 1998.

The woman found the strength to instruct lawyers Irwin Mitchell in October 2012 following the revelations regarding widespread abuse by Jimmy Savile.

The launch of legal action against South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust led to a full inquiry into the case, concluding that it is likely an assault occurred in 1979.

It also found that the trust failed to take an opportunity to investigate the allegation, in 2006, and on the balance of probability, several other allegations made against Johnny Savile were also true.

Johnny Savile was dismissed from his role in 1980 for gross misconduct.

The investigation did not uncover any evidence that Jimmy Savile ever visited the trust or had access to any users.

Tracey Storey, a partner and specialist abuse lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Our client has faced an ordeal spanning more than 30 years, having to come to terms with not only hugely traumatic sexual abuse but also the nightmare of being ignored for more than 20 years.

“This report is a shocking, long overdue acknowledgement that there were clear failings in the handling of her allegations, meaning she faced the indignity of no one taking her claims seriously.

“We firmly believe that this enquiry should have happened years ago and it is unacceptable that it took the revelations of Operation Yewtree and our intervention for steps to be taken to fully investigate the allegations she made – and for this report to ultimately confirm that there were serious failings."

'Heartfelt apologies'

The woman's medical records show, how between 1991 and 2012, there were 14 mentions of the rape to various healthcare professionals. However no action was taken to seriously investigate the allegations, with the report suggesting the trust missed an opportunity to do so in 2006.

David Bradley, Chief Executive of South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, said: "The publication of this report, and reports from 15 other trusts across the country, is a sad day in the history of the NHS.

"On behalf of South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust, I offer my heartfelt apologies to the victims of Johnny Savile.

"I would like to thank everyone who came forward for their bravery in helping to compile this report. We know this has not been an easy journey to make. We will continue to provide our full support to the victims and any other patients who have been subject to sexual abuse in the past.

"The investigation's findings of the suffering the victims experienced, and the lack of support they received, is very disturbing to read about today given our much greater awareness of the sexual exploitation and abuse of vulnerable people. The abuse these patients were subject to, and the conditions described at Springfield Hospital in 1979 were wholly unacceptable.

"The report also found that there was a missed opportunity to investigate the allegations first made to Springfield Hospital by a victim in 1991. Subsequently, when the same victim disclosed the abuse again, her allegations of abuse were not addressed in the way we would now support someone raising similar serious concerns. By 2012, the Trust was able to respond more sensitively and appropriately to her concerns.

"Nearly 40 years since these incidents, South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust is unrecognisable to how it was in 1979. We have transformed the culture of the organisation and our staff have worked tirelessly with dedication to improve the quality of the services we deliver. Our safeguarding processes are well tested, robust and meet all national guidelines.

"Despite all the improvements that have been made over the last 40 years we will never be complacent. We have learned a great deal in the process of compiling this report and we remain committed to improving patient care."

Anyone with any concerns or looking for support or advice is urged to contact 0203 513 6150.