A NEW app to allow discussion about female genital mutilation between health professionals and patients is being tested across Oxfordshire.

The programme is designed to be used by professionals in their sessions, to help them enquire sensitively about FGM, identify girl at risk of cutting and direct carers towards help and support.

The project has been created by Joanne McEwan, a public health nurse at the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust who frequently comes into contact with FGM survivors during her work in Oxford.

She said: "Good communication and an understanding of the cultural and language differences are critical factors for health professionals if they are to win the trust of their clients and patients.

"FGM is a very sensitive subject, and a health professional can find it difficult to open up a discussion in case they alienate their client."

Funding for the project came from the Mary Seacole Leadership Award, which recognises outstanding work in the black and minority ethnic community.

Ms McEwan also worked with campaign group Oxford Against Cutting, as well as Oxford Health and Oxford Universities Hospitals NHS trusts to develop the app.

Content includes soundbites of key information in five languages about the impact of FGM, why it happens, the law and how it affects children.

It also features video interviews with survivors, campaigners and health professionals who support survivors.

FGM affects approximately 137,000 girls and women in the UK, although actual numbers are unconfirmed.