Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Ensure all FGM survivors access timely, essential support and specialist care nationwide
Recommendation
The Government should ensure that all FGM survivors can access the essential support and care they need in a timely manner. While some variation in service provision may be necessary to reflect local prevalence rates, higher-prevalence areas should offer funded multidisciplinary services that allow quick access to specialist care. In lower-prevalence areas, there must be clear referral pathways in all relevant healthcare settings including General Practice, Women’s Health Hubs and sexual health services to ensure women can access care without delay. The NHS must take steps to ensure that advice on when certain procedures, such as deinfibulation, can be accessed reflects the latest NHS guidance. (Recommendation, Paragraph 21) 41
Government Response Summary
The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, stating that Integrated Care Boards commission services based on local needs, which accounts for variation. It notes that some high-prevalence areas use Women’s Health Hubs and that NHS Talking Therapies are being expanded, but does not commit to new actions to ensure universal access or establish specific multidisciplinary services or clear referral pathways as recommended.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Response: 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.