In 2015, it was estimated that there were 137,000 women aged 15+ living with the consequences of FGM in the UK.[1] During the year April 2017 to March 2018, 6,195 women and girls survivors of FGM in the UK accounted for 9,490 attendances recorded in NHS services. For 4,495 of these women and girls, it was the first time they were included in national datasets as FGM survivors.
In Nottingham, similar to preceding years, there were 65 newly recorded cases reported in the FGM dataset by healthcare providers. Almost all of the women identified were between the ages of 18 and 39 years. The majority of women had undergone this before the age of 14 years with a significant number of them having had FGM before they were 12 months old. The country of origin and where the procedure was carried out was mostly situated in Africa.
Nottingham, a city of zero-tolerance towards FGM
Nottingham is one of the first places in the UK to declare zero-tolerance of FGM. Schools, health services and community services receive training to identify and prevent FGM.
Services
Nottingham FGM clinic for women over 18 years old
The clinic is nurse/midwife led and based at City Hospital Campus and Queens Campus. The clinic offers advice, referral to urogynaecology, consultant obstetrician, social care, honour based abuse team, counselling, ante natal care and assessment, de-infibulation, post-surgery and post natal follow up.
This clinic can be accessed by calling 0115 9691169 ext 55239.
If a child is at immediate risk of FGM then the police must be notified by calling 999. For other concerns around children and FGM contact can be made with the FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk.
The Mojatu Foundations provides community based support for survivors of FGM and those at risk of FGM, further details can be found at http://www.mojatufoundation.org/
NHS National FGM Support Clinics
National FGM Support Clinics are a place for women with FGM to discuss their health needs in a sensitive and non-judgmental environment.
The services are provided by an all-female team and include:
- physical assessment and treatment (including de-infibulation if required)
- emotional support and counselling
- general information
- access to FGM Health Advocates
- referral to a specialist consultant, if needed
Leeds FGM Support Clinic
A national FGM centre as been set up, details of this can be accessed here.
Further Resources
Further information and resources
- FGM resource pack: Female genital mutilation: resource pack - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- FGM ‘The Facts’ leaflet: Promotional material overview: Female genital mutilation: the facts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- A booklet which provides details of support around FGM
- NHS leaflet
- Signs that a girl could be at risk of FGM - Welsh / English poster
- FGM Support Clinics Info Leaflet - English
- Government statement opposing female genital mutilation - This outlines what FGM is, the legislation and penalties involved and the help and support available. The statement is often referred to as a health passport and is available in multiple languages.
- Local FGM Poster showing information and support
Learning & Training
You can register for the free FGM E-learning course here: Registration - Enable (vc-enable.co.uk)
