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| Female genital mutilation: London hospitals treat 4,000 patients | Female genital mutilation: London hospitals treat 4,000 patients |
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| Nearly 4,000 women and girls have been treated for female genital mutilation (FGM) in London's hospitals since 2009, according to new figures. | Nearly 4,000 women and girls have been treated for female genital mutilation (FGM) in London's hospitals since 2009, according to new figures. |
| Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust treated the most FGM patients, with 1,146 seen over the past five years. | |
| The data was obtained through Freedom of Information requests to NHS Trusts by BBC London 94.9. | The data was obtained through Freedom of Information requests to NHS Trusts by BBC London 94.9. |
| London's mayor Boris Johnson said the practice was "absolutely intolerable". | London's mayor Boris Johnson said the practice was "absolutely intolerable". |
| Forty-one hospital trusts were contacted by the BBC with most supplying figures. Six said they did not currently record figures on FGM, while four did not respond. | Forty-one hospital trusts were contacted by the BBC with most supplying figures. Six said they did not currently record figures on FGM, while four did not respond. |
| The remaining 31 trusts reported that a total of 3,939 FGM patients had been treated in London hospitals. | The remaining 31 trusts reported that a total of 3,939 FGM patients had been treated in London hospitals. |
| St George's Healthcare NHS Trust treated the second largest number of patients, with a total of 795 seen between 2009 and 2013, eight of whom were born in the UK. | |
| The trust also revealed six girls under the age of 18 had been treated. | |
| Mr Johnson said he was committed to delivering a pilot initiative aimed at improving the way agencies in the capital identify and respond to FGM. | Mr Johnson said he was committed to delivering a pilot initiative aimed at improving the way agencies in the capital identify and respond to FGM. |
| 'Barbaric crime' | 'Barbaric crime' |
| "This is a crime basically outlawed in the early-mid 1980s and yet, unlike France, we have not had one single successful prosecution for what is unquestionably a completely barbaric crime," he said. | "This is a crime basically outlawed in the early-mid 1980s and yet, unlike France, we have not had one single successful prosecution for what is unquestionably a completely barbaric crime," he said. |
| "It's time to stop being so nervous, so gingerly and hesitant. This is something that is absolutely intolerable in a place like London." | "It's time to stop being so nervous, so gingerly and hesitant. This is something that is absolutely intolerable in a place like London." |
| FGM is most common among some African, Asian and Middle Eastern communities. | FGM is most common among some African, Asian and Middle Eastern communities. |
| But campaigners say there is a lack of knowledge about how prevalent the practice is and this is hampering social services and the police in the collection of evidence. | But campaigners say there is a lack of knowledge about how prevalent the practice is and this is hampering social services and the police in the collection of evidence. |
| Dr Phoebe Abe, a Hillingdon GP, runs a free weekly FGM clinic where she is currently treating 60 women, eight of whom are under 17. | Dr Phoebe Abe, a Hillingdon GP, runs a free weekly FGM clinic where she is currently treating 60 women, eight of whom are under 17. |
| "These women have adhesions, vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory infections, urine infections - for years they have been having this problems," she said. | "These women have adhesions, vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory infections, urine infections - for years they have been having this problems," she said. |
| Last month the Department of Health announced that, from April, all NHS hospitals will be able to record if a patient has undergone FGM or if there is a family history of it. | |
| By September, all acute hospitals will have to report this data to the department on a monthly basis. | By September, all acute hospitals will have to report this data to the department on a monthly basis. |
| At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims of FGM. | At least 66,000 girls and women in the UK are believed to be victims of FGM. |