Presentation Focused on Maternity Services Health Response to FGM Presentation Focused on Maternity Services

Maternity Services Development of new model of working Methodology used – Model for Improvement PDSA( Plan-Do-Study-Act)

New Model Routine enquiry question at booking by Community Midwife Community Midwife refers to Specialist Midwife Specialist Midwife undertakes FGM discussion and examination of women who have undergone Type 1 or 2 Complex cases referred to Named Obstetrician for examination Link CPA and Named CP Consultant - CP Health risk assessment

Learning Points COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF MOTHER Findings suggest being a mother from a FGM practising country in itself is not sufficient to generate a CP-IRD: Differences between regional areas of countries, specific tribal and community / family groups Not all women have reported being cut Not all aware of typology or true meaning in terms of what was actually done to them, only what they were told PARENTAL VIEWS Nuclear family Majority of parents have expressed protective views Need to explore wider family beliefs and customs as part of risk assessment DAD’S VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT “ How you come from heaven is how you should stay”

Learning Points DEGREE OF ASSIMILATION TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - FGM challenging when using interpreters USE OF FEMALE WORKERS - Women have given positive feedback about use of female health professionals (culturally competent approach) ONGOING ENGAGEMENT WITH SERVICES key to success of safeguarding / child protection measures for child throughout childhood (18yrs) COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES openness, honesty, compassion for women victims who are also mothers or expectant mothers. TIME- Make every contact count !