Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Inconsistent FGM survivor services and poor referral pathways create postcode lottery
Conclusion
Services for FGM survivors and access to them remains inconsistent across the UK. While some variation in access to services may be expected in line with local prevalence, there is a lack of effective referral pathways. This has created a postcode lottery that risks leaving women and girls without the essential support and care they need. (Conclusion, Paragraph 19)
Government Response Summary
The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, noting ICBs commission pathways based on local populations, which inherently leads to variation. It states NHS Talking Therapies are being expanded, with trained therapists for trauma, but does not commit to specific actions to improve national consistency or referral pathways for FGM services.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Integrated Care Boards and NHS Trusts commission FGM support clinics which offer a range of services to support women affected by FGM including physical treatment, counselling and further referrals to urology, gynaecology etc. depending on clinical need. There are at least 24 clinics across England, many of which accept self-referrals as well as referrals from health professionals. The NHS also provides clinical intervention, including deinfibulation, to manage medical complications associated with FGM. Every Integrated Care Board (ICB) is expected to provide support pathways relevant to their local population. How each ICB chooses to meet the needs of their population will differ and in some higher-prevalence areas we know Women’s Health Hubs will be used to provide FGM services. For example, in Tower Hamlets, the Women’s Health Hub brings together healthcare professionals and existing services to provide integrated women’s health services in the community that include multidisciplinary FGM services and access to appropriate specialist care pathways. FGM clinics and Women’s Health Hubs that offer FGM services provide information on FGM to attendees, as well as signposting to non-health related local services and access to FGM Health Advocates. FGM clinics and Women’s Health Hubs are commissioned locally; some provide access to counselling onsite by dedicated counsellors, and others commission local services or refer to standard NHS pathways. Women affected by FGM who need specialist mental health support can be referred to NHS services such as NHS Talking Therapies. DHSC is continuing to expand these services this year and across the Spending Review period. More adult victims and survivors experiencing trauma will therefore have access to high-quality mental health support through Talking Therapies, which offer well-governed, evidence-based, and effective psychological therapy services for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders as well as post-traumatic stress reactions. The workforce within NHS Talking Therapies receive training on how to support individuals impacted by abuse. This workforce includes therapists trained in trauma focussed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.