Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Accepted
Government obstructs FGM reconstructive surgery by failing to fund necessary research.
Conclusion
Many women who have undergone FGM seek reconstructive surgery to reverse FGM as far as possible. It is clear that the NHS is equipped to perform this surgery as it delivers it for other medical conditions. We acknowledge that the current medical evidence supporting reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors may be limited. However, it is unreasonable for the Government to cite a lack of evidence as a barrier to reconstructive surgery while simultaneously failing to invest in the research necessary to generate such evidence. (Conclusion, Paragraph 43)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees this is an important research area, with the National Institute for Health and Care Research developing a call for proposals into FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness and aiming to advertise a timeline by year-end.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We agree this is an important area of research and are in the process of taking the recommendation forward. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is developing a call in this area which is being discussed with FGM specialists as well as scientific experts to ensure that learnings from previous unsuccessful applications are embedded, to establish an appropriate scope and facilitate high-quality proposals. The Department of Health and Social Care aims to advertise a timeline for this call by the end of this year.