Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
| | A | | | B | | | C | | | D | | | E | | | F | | | G | | | H | | | I | | | J | | | K | | | L | | | M | |
| | N | | | O | | | P | | | Q | | | R | | | S | | | T | | | U | | | V | | | W | | | X | | | Y | |
When should it be done? of Circumcision
In England, circumcision is occasionally carried out on the NHS for emergency medical reasons. It’s usually considered a ‘last resort’ if other types of treatment haven’t been successful.
Circumcision is a painful operation. Babies who are circumcised are usually given a local anaesthetic because a general anaesthetic is more dangerous. Local anaesthetic is a numbing medicine that can be injected at the base of the penis or in the shaft, or applied as a cream.
Older children and adults who are circumcised are normally given a full, general anaesthetic.
Non-therapeutic circumcision
Non-therapeutic or ‘ritual’ circumcision is circumcision that is not carried out for a medical reason. Instead, it may be done for religious or cultural reasons.
The NHS does not fund ritual circumcision in England. However in some areas of the country where there is a high population of ethnic minority groups, ritual circumcision may be carried out on the NHS for a fee. At these clinics, only newborn babies between 6-12 weeks old are circumcised, and the child must be registered with a GP in the respective area. A referral to the clinic is made by either the GP, health visitor or nurse after consultation. The procedure will not usually be carried out without the consent of both parents and careful consideration of the child’s best interests.
It is very important that parents considering having their son circumcised are fully aware of the issues and risks involved, including pain, bleeding, and the possibility of surgical error. Most doctors also urge parents to think about what is best for the child, and where possible consider the child’s interests. If the boy is old enough, it is important that doctors and parents consider his feelings and ensure he is informed about what the procedure involves, the implications of not being circumcised and any other possible options.
The child’s social and cultural circumstances must also be considered. In certain religions and cultures, circumcision may be required for all males. The decision not to circumcise may cause other problems such as social exclusion, or make it harder for the child to find their sense of identity. However, this must also be weighed up against the standard of medical care available.
