Female Genital Mutilation

Some women who have had this procedure done  come to Liverpool Women’s hospital to give birth. The hospital has a specialist clinic. The hospital has staff who are well-trained in this situation, managing the physical and social aspects of this, so as to help both mother and baby. It is trusted in this role.

The hospital is located in an ethnically diverse part of town. Some of the  women in this community who would need to access a FGM clinic may not be used to using buses to get perhaps to Aintree.. Liverpool Women’s Hospital is  well trusted in the local community., and local women safe and respected going there.There could be could have language barriers that make it difficult to just hop on a bus to get across town. If the Liverpool Women’s  Hospital is closed and the FGM clinic moves across town, there is the potential issue that women who need the service face a load more barriers to getting it. Basically, local women will suffer.

The hospital provides many such  specialisms within the overall expertise of the hospital. A small clinic separate from the whole hospital would be significantly less effective and probably less safe.

The hospital  has developed an effective and well trusted clinic.“Our female genital mutilation service is available to women who experience health consequences following female genital mutilation. Symptoms may vary according to the type and severity of female genital mutilation. Long-term consequences that are managed within the clinic include cysts and abscesses, keloid scar formation, damage to the urethra resulting in urinary infections, incontinence, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) and sexual dysfunction and difficulties with childbirth. Psychosexual and psychological health is also managed within this clinic. The clinic is consultant-led and staffed by female doctors. Referral to this service can be made via your GP or a doctor from another hospital”

https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg-53-fgm.pdf

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