Female Genital Mutilation Datasets briefing note

Practices are now legally required to report Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).

The purpose of the data collection is to improve the NHS response to FGM and to help commission the services to support women who have experienced FGM, as well as safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM.

The FGM enhanced data set contains more items than before, including some patient identifiable demographic data, specific FGM information and referral and treatment information. The enhanced data collection began in April 2015 and was extended to GP practices on 1 October.

The FGM information standard instructs clinicians to record into clinical notes when a patient with FGM is identified, and what type it is.

Data should be then submitted:

Every time FGM is identified (by a clinician or self-reported), including a change in type of FGM, and therefore not just the first time identified.
A woman or girl has treatment related to her FGM.
When a woman gives birth to a baby girl.

Please note that it is NOT a requirement for every clinician to undertake an examination in order to make the information return, but a clinical examination should only be undertaken as part of a care encounter, and if FGM is then identified, it has to be recorded.

The HSCIC website advises that explicit consent is not required because the data collection is being undertaken under the directions of the Department of Health. However, there needs to be a clear explanation to a patient about what is happening to their data, what is described in the Data Protection Act as ‘fair processing’. If a patient raises an objection at the point they are examined and have the reporting requirement explained, the practice is bound to consider this objection within their own processes and ensure that they record the outcome of the decision; that is whether to disclose the information or not to HSCIC.

If the objection is not raised at this point, and the patient's information is submitted, they can still choose to contact HSCIC at a later date to raise an objection, using this form.

All data for the FGM Enhanced Dataset is submitted via the HSCIC Clinical Audit Platform (CAP). Practices can register to the CAP by using the registration form attached. HSCIC is publishing from the FGM enhanced dataset quarterly reports based quarterly extractions for the data collection system as an official statistic, and from the FGM prevalence Dataset monthly reports based on the monthly returns. No patient identifiable data is published.

The top, right-hand side of the HSCIC FGM page contains guidance and forms for practice staff involved in complying with the FGM dataset reporting. The frequently asked questions and user registration form are of particular use.

Department of Health Guidance

The Department of Health, NHS England and professional bodies, have developed a package of support including:

Quick guidance – a two page summary of the duty including a process flowchart
Poster – a poster for health organisations to display about the duty
Training slides – a training presentation organisations can use to help them deliver 10 – 15 minute updates to staff to explain the duty
Video interviews with Vanessa Lodge, NHS E National FGM Prevention lead

An information leaflet for patients and their families which professionals can use to help when discussing making a report to the police.

The website for written materials is here and the he video can be found on the NHS website.

Last updated : 11 Nov 2015

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