RCGP responds to new public health approach to violence against women and girls

The College responds to the Health Secretary's announcement to adopt a public health approach to violence against women and girls.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Violence against women and girls has devastating consequences for health and wellbeing, and we welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to tackling it through a public health approach.

“GPs and our teams see the impact abuse can have on our patients. The trusted relationships we build with patients mean they may disclose abuse to us, even when it was not the reason they initially sought our help. Building these relationships requires time.

“General practice has an important role in identifying and supporting people experiencing abuse, and we strongly support the principle of ‘no wrong front door’. This must be backed by clear, timely pathways to appropriately resourced services, wherever someone first seeks help.

“We look forward to working with government and partners to ensure the programme meets the needs of women and girls and works effectively across the health and care system.”

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.