2nd November 2015
From 31 October, healthcare professionals must alert the police if they treat a girl under 18 who has had female genital mutilation (FGM).
Muslim girl blurred with red flower denoting FGM
© IHV
To coincide with the duty coming into effect, the Department of Health has introduced a range of resources to help ensure that healthcare staff are equipped and confident to deal with cases of FGM.
Developed with the support of the NHS, the Royal Colleges and survivors of FGM, the package of support includes:
- quick guidance for professionals, including a flow-chart that sets out what action health professionals should take
- a poster for NHS organisations to publicise the duty to their staff
- training slides
- video interviews with health professionals
- a leaflet for staff to give to patients to explain the new duty
These resources will make sure that healthcare professionals are aware of their responsibilities towards girls who come into their care that have had FGM.
