New measures announced to end female genital mutilation in UK

The government has marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by announcing new measures to end the harmful practice in the UK.

A total of 1.6 million pounds will be allocated for the next stage of the FGM prevention programme that will improve NHS response to this form of abuse, with a national system to be implemented to allow clinicians to note on a child's health record that they are potentially at risk of FGM.

Meanwhile, regulations for GPs and mental health trusts requiring them to record FGM incidence will be introduced by October 2015, building on the legislation already in place for NHS acute trusts.

Finally, improved training for frontline health workers will be rolled out on how to communicate sensitively with patients about FGM, while two million pounds will be spent to help create a specialised team of social workers with experience of working with those at risk of FGM.

Public health minister Jane Ellison said: "The measures announced today will help the NHS fulfill its duty to care for women who have had FGM, protect them and their daughters from further harm and prevent girls from being mutilated."