Female genital mutilation in the UK: considerations for best nursing practice

This paper addresses female genital mutilation (FGM) as a growing public health concern in the UK, driven by migration from countries where the practice is common. It emphasizes that nurses need education about FGM's history, cultural context, and long-term health complications to provide both professional and sensitive care. The paper argues that nursing education is essential for supporting affected women and safeguarding girls and women at risk.

Key points

• FGM is defined as any process that injures or removes part or all of the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons
• FGM is a growing public health concern in the UK due to increased migration from countries where it is practised
• Nurses require education on FGM to provide appropriate support and safeguarding
• Understanding FGM's cultural and historical context is necessary for sensitive professional care
• Long-term health complications of FGM must be understood by healthcare providers

Limitations

This document appears to be a position or educational paper that does not present primary research data, intervention evaluation, or empirical evidence about FGM prevalence, outcomes, or the effectiveness of nursing interventions. It cannot tell us about actual implementation outcomes or the impact of nursing education programmes on patient care quality.