FGM e-learning launched today

FGM e-learning launched today Health Education England (HEE) today launches an e-learning programme to help support and recognise the victims of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, and supported by the Department of Health’s FGM Prevention team, the material deals with the issues posed by FGM at all stages of a girl or woman’s life, including the impact on physical and emotional health, legal status and referral pathways.

The introductory content is available to all today, on HEE’s e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) website. The full suite of learning will be available shortly, and will provide free training for all NHS staff, including school nurses, practice nurses, health visitors and GPs.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), there are an estimated 130 million women and girls living with FGM worldwide. Most of these women are located in 29 African countries. In the UK, FGM is increasingly identified amongst migrants from FGM-practising countries. There are an estimated 137,000 women in the UK affected by FGM.

Professor Wendy Reid, Director of Education and Quality, Health Education England, said:

“All health professionals have a responsibility to provide support for survivors of FGM and in the protection of girls and women at risk of FGM.

I am proud to say that Health Education England is committed to training frontline healthcare professionals to recognise those at risk and support women and girls who may have undergone FGM.”