Religious and-or ritual circumcision

NHS Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust does not fund a religious/ritual circumcision service on the NHS.

However the trust would like to provide advice to those planning for a religious/ ritual circumcision for their child.

What is religious or ritual circumcision?

Circumcision is a procedure to remove the foreskin from a young boy’s penis.

The foreskin is a flap of skin that covers the head of the penis and can usually be pulled back over it (the medical term is ‘glans’).

In some religions (for example in Islam and Judaism) circumcision is carried out for religious/ritualistic reasons.

Clinical advice

It is important that parents have access to clinical advice on what to look for when selecting someone to carry out circumcision on a child

You should be confident that:

• The procedure will be undertaken in hygienic conditions
• The instruments will be sterile*
• The person carrying out the circumcision will use an aseptic** technique
• The person carrying out the circumcision has been trained to perform the procedure in a safe manner
• The person carrying out the circumcision should be undertaking enough circumcisions to maintain their skills
• Appropriate pain relief and aftercare should be available
• You are paying a reasonable fee— compare this with other local practitioners
• The person carrying out the circumcision has a good reputation with your local community OR can provide good references from someone you trust.

Other requirements are:

• Consent is needed from both parents
• Only Jewish practitioners who undertake circumcision have a regulatory body (known as the Initiation Society).
• Circumcision is a surgical procedure and parents and guardians should make sure they are aware of the risks involved eg bleeding, infection and pain and discomfor for the child.

Note that female circumcision is illegal in the UK.

Is religious or ritual circumcision available on the NHS?

NHS Birmingham East and North does not routinely fund male circumcision for non medical reasons.

This decision has been taken after speaking with local people who live in the NHS Birmingham East and North area. The outcome of this patient feedback showed that local residents did not think religious or ritual circumcisions should be funded by the NHS.

Instead people stated a preference for NHS funds to be spent on health conditions such as diabetes and reducing the number of infant deaths.

The subject has also been discussed at the trust’s Professional Executive Committee (PEC) which is where clinical decisions are taken by local GPs and other health care professionals.

Is it available elsewhere?

Some PCTs in England do currently fund religious or ritual circumcision on the NHS.

However, each PCT takes decisions based on priorities that relate to its own local population.

Further information

If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet or would like further information on circumcising your
child please contact:

• Your local GP or practice nurse
• Your health visitor or midwife
• NHS Direct on 0845 46 47
• NHS Birmingham East and North

Further information is available about the Jewish Initiation Society at: www.initiationsociety.org

Notes

*Sterilization refers to a process that kills bacteria.

**Aseptic technique is a surgical process where the instruments used in the circumcision remain uncontaminated during the procedure.