FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Health Support for Non-Pregnant Women: Evaluation Findings From the NHS Pilot Programme.

NHS England funded eight pilot Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) clinics for non-pregnant women across England from 2019 to 2021, with our evaluation exploring how best to meet the health and wellbeing needs of non-pregnant women who had experienced FGM. Prior to these clinics, there had been little progress in meeting the needs of non-pregnant women with FGM seeking medical help in England. Our evaluation commissioned Starks Consulting, Ecorys and Leeds Beckett to evaluate documented service delivery across the eight pilot sites. Within this we explored the importance of delivering clinics within community settings. The evaluation tested how effective/capable these clinics were in meeting the health and wellbeing needs of women accessing them. We also examined the effectiveness of various staff roles (lead clinician, health advocate and therapist) to understand the service delivery approach. We captured the views of a small number of service users through individual interviews, gathering their lived experiences of FGM and clinic attendance. The main aim of the evaluation was to determine whether the clinics improved the health outcomes of non-pregnant survivors of FGM. This paper presents findings from the qualitative component of the evaluation; interview data from 42 professionals and 12 service users. We detail the model of support (community service delivery, with trusted professionals, creating a safe space) and the learning gained from the pilot implementation. Positive outcomes include improved health and well-being for women (mental and physical health improvements). Challenges in service delivery included language barriers, how professionals reach into communities, the stigma associated with FGM as an experience, and mental health problems arising from FGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]