A to Z of services

•  A clinic offering support and treatment to women who have undergone FGM
• Address:  CALABASH CLINIC, Orchid Suite, 1^st floor purple zone, Croydon University Hospital, 530 London Road, CR7 7YE
• Reception phone number:  Contact our Specialist Nurse: 07918360222
• Service hours:  Every Monday, 9am-5pm (please email for confirmation of opening: ch-tr.fgmcroydon@nhs.net)

About us

The Calabash Clinic in Croydon is for women who have undergone FGM and require support, treatment or advocacy.

The team exists of all female staff, including:
Dalia Saidan – Consultant Subspecialist Urogynaecologist
Elizabeth Boyle – Specialist FGM Nurse
Lizana Latif – FGM Counsellor
Melanie Masona – Health Advocate

What to expect at your appointment

Appointments will last up to one hour.  You can bring someone with you for support if you wish. You will be seen in a calm and supportive environment by female staff. 

The nurse will welcome you to the clinic and introduce herself. She will offer a translator if you need one. She will then discuss with you the symptoms you are experiencing and any concerns you have.

The nurse will then carry out a visual inspection of the genital area to diagnose what type of FGM you have. She will do this sensitively and gently and you will be offered a chaperone if you would like one.

After this examination the nurse will make a plan for your care, which may involve surgery if you need ‘opening’ and referrals to other specialists.  You can also meet with the specialist psychodynamic counsellor to discuss counselling and psychosexual counselling if you would like this.  This can be arranged both face to face and online.

We also offer cervical screening (smear) tests in the clinic.

 

How to refer

You can self refer to the Calabash clinic, by emailing ch-tr.fgmcroydon@nhs.net or calling 07918360222.  You can also ask your GP to refer by email.

As the only specialist FGM clinic in SW London, we are happy to accept referrals from South London and surrounding areas.

 

For more information, see the following links:

Calabash Clinic Leaflet (update link)

Female genital mutilation (FGM) | RCOG

 

What about under 18 year olds, how can they be supported?
Support for under 18 year olds is available  through the  specialist paediatric service at  UCLH. Appointments for the clinic can be  obtained by emailing  UCLH.paediatricsafeguarding@nhs.net.