I researched how other countries were tackling female genital mutilation (FGM), especially about how progress can be sustained after many years. I also considered how the people involved in the work (like the midwives, doctors, campaigners, teachers and social workers) look after themselves when doing this tricky work.

The purpose of my Fellowship was to propose ideas to help the NHS to sustain their efforts – having begun this work just over five years ago, we as a health service are finding it challenging to maintain progress.

Whilst my primary role in the NHS is as Programme Director for Wessex Care Records (digital health and social care records), I am also delighted to be advising NHS England and Improvement with regard to their ongoing FGM prevention work, enabling me to consider the sustainability of change.

Following my Fellowship and during the pandemic, I have been involved in helping the NHS services who treat FGM survivors to keep going and to share learning between themselves. I am passionate about how to spread this more widely and to set up support networks for people involved in the many projects pushing to end FGM.