Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Clinic

• Consultation and procedures:
  • Clinics at UCLH
  • ‘One-stop’ clinics for assessments and the procedures for reversal if woman chooses to
  • Choice of local or general anaesthetic for the ‘reversal’ procedure.
• Assessments
  • Pregnant women before childbirth
  • Women hoping to conceive
  • Women with a history of incontinence/prolapse and sexual dysfunction and other pelvic floor disorders
• Support
  • Advocacy
  • Counselling/psychology
• Referral to other services where clinically indicated
  • Urogynaecology services via FPMRS
  • Chronic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms clinic (Chronic UTI)
  • Abdominal and Pelvic Pain services
  • Rheumatology services
• Data collection of clinical information
  • To improve our knowledge about the effects of FGM.
  • Part of mandatory reporting for the UK government
  • Developing awareness of FGM within UCLH

The children's FGM service is ran by Dr Sakaria Ali (paediatrics) and Miss Hazel Learner (paediatric and adolescent gynaecology). There is a dedicated monthly multidisciplinary clinic for girls under 18 years old who have had, are suspected to have had, or who may be at risk of having, FGM.

We offer sensitive and appropriate care for affected children and young people.

This service is run by Dr Lata Kamble (Consultant Obstetrician) and FGM midwife Yvonne Saruchera. This service works closely with the obstetric Department as well as the midwifery unit providing a culturally sensitive and non-judgemental environment to support women hoping to get pregnant or already pregnant who need F GM issues to be addressed. This is an all-female team whose team members understand the sensitivity and complexity of the issues arising. They have the support of psychologists, continence nurses, pain services and Urogynaecologists if required. The clinic takes place on a Monday afternoon, where it also provides deinfibulation services for women under local anaesthesia.

This service is run in tandem with the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) service. This is a specialist service providing a culturally sensitive and non-judgemental environment to support women with long term effects of FGM. Hitherto, this complex group of women did not have access to long term support after FGM. This service looks after women with incontinence, prolapse, sexual dysfunction, recurrent infections, chronic pain, pelvic floor scarring, and other impacts of FGM on the pelvic floor function. The clinic takes place on Monday afternoons as part of the FPMRS services. It carries out deinfibulation procedures under general anaesthetic and other forms of reconstructive surgery were required.

This clinic also provides support to the Obstetric FGM clinic.

There is a Specialist Midwife, Yvonne Saruchera, available to support patients through all their care.