The IRIS Programme, developed by IRISi, has officially recommenced in North West London! General Practices in Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham can now re-enrol in the initiative, benefiting from Domestic Abuse training and gaining access to a streamlined referral pathway to a dedicated specialist from Advance, the local frontline service operating in this area in partnership with IRISi. While training sessions significantly enhance clinicians’ knowledge in identifying and responding to signs of Domestic Abuse, the role of the IRIS Advocate Educator is essential. This specialist worker is embedded in the healthcare settings, collaboratively working with clinical teams, receiving referrals and providing patient support tailored to their needs.
The Assistant Director for Safeguarding for NHS North West London, Siobhan Appleton, advised that, “The return of IRIS, in collaboration with Advance, to the North West London boroughs of Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham will build on previous achievements and ensure recommencement of the provision of a high-level training, referral and advocacy model that supports clinicians within Primary Care to better support patients affected by Domestic Violence and Abuse”.
The IRIS Training for Trainers sessions took place in early November and were attended by a number of Designated Professionals.
After participating in these sessions, all professionals agreed that IRIS should bring a positive impact on their local GPs, stating: “A woman who is going through Domestic Abuse will most likely go to her GP with various symptoms of ill health, ranging from physical health symptoms to varieties of mental health and emotional issues. IRIS training enables GP staff to better identify patients affected by DA and refer them to appropriate specialist services for the support required. General Practices across Hammersmith and Fulham and Westminster are urged to take opportunity of this training which has been commissioned by NHS NWL”.
“IRIS consists of a comprehensive and cost-effective solution that requires sustained funding”
Krishna, Advance’s Implementation Manager, and Ramisha, Advance’s Senior Service Manager for Health, also share their thoughts on the renewed collaboration with IRISi and the North West London ICB to bring the IRIS Programme back to Hammersmith and Fulham and Westminster. Their perspectives shed light on the importance of this initiative in supporting primary care professionals, establishing embedded referral pathways and improving the healthcare response to Domestic Abuse.
According to Krishna, “Being directly funded by the North West London ICB is evidence of how much the service is needed in supporting Primary Care professionals to identify Domestic Abuse. Also ensuring we have an integrated referral pathway, as well as having a dedicated Advocate Educator to support with bridging the gap from the point of referral, to ensuring that the victim/survivor receives the most appropriate support”.
Ramisha reinforces the importance of working collaboratively to tackle Domestic Abuse: “Our collaboration with IRISi and ICB to re-adopt the IRIS model in Hammersmith and Fulham and Westminster marks a significant milestone. Having served as an Advocate Educator on a previous IRIS programme and as a manager of multiple IRIS sites, I’ve witnessed the tremendous impact this initiative can have. It promises expanded survivor access to vital services and the enhancement of healthcare responses to Domestic Abuse. The model’s past success in Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham is a testament to its effectiveness, and we eagerly anticipate re-establishing this partnership, support, and access”.
Medina Johnson, CEO of IRISi, celebrates the programme’s relaunch while underscoring the crucial need for sustained funding: “A pivotal evaluation of IRIS demonstrates that the launch of the IRIS programme in an area not only sees an immediate surge in referrals but that these are sustained and continue to increase over time. However, once funding ceases and the programme is deactivated, there is an abrupt loss of momentum. Clinicians cease referrals as the absence of a specialist worker hampers the process, leading to a disconnection from valuable knowledge and practice. This inevitably means that patients, particularly women, stand to lose an indispensable service — a programme capable of offering comprehensive and tailored support. IRIS represents a solution that aligns with public budget considerations, given its cost-effective nature as an intervention. The need for sustained funds nationally and locally is urgent and imperative”.