New measures aimed at bringing an end to female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK were announced on 6 February 2015 – International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
They include:
- £1.6 million for the next stage of the FGM prevention programme that will improve the NHS response
- a new national system to allow clinicians to note on a child’s health record that they are potentially at risk of FGM
- new mandatory recording requirements for GPs and mental health trusts requiring them to record FGM incidence by October 2015. This follows a requirement already in place for NHS acute trusts
- improved training for frontline health workers on how to communicate sensitively with patients about FGM, through new e-learning sessions launched by Health Education England
- £2 million for a new national programme backed by Barnardo’s and the Local Government Association that will create a highly specialised team of skilled social workers with extensive experience of working with those at risk of FGM