MORE than 100 victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) have been recorded in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region in the last two years.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), which covers Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, recorded treating 71 women admitted to hospital with FGM in 2017 and 67 in 2018.

The figures, provided in answer to a Freedom of Information request, were published a week after the UK saw the first conviction for FGM.

However, the health board stressed the numbers did not capture the scale of the issue.

A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, we cannot confirm the true prevalence of FGM in NHSGGC. There will be patients admitted to hospital with FGM, but who do not have this recorded, as their admission may be unrelated to the fact they have FGM. 

“It is therefore possible there are significant numbers of patients with this condition who have not been admitted to hospital.

“Since 2016, all women who are referred for maternity care are asked by the midwife about FGM. Women who confirm experience of FGM are then referred to the Special Needs in Pregnancy service (SNIPS) and asked if they wish to be referred/assessed for referral to the gynaecology clinic at Stobhill Hospital for review.”

Jo Swinson, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, who submitted the FOI request, said: “It is a barbaric and traumatic practice that must be completely eradicated.”