We are an IRIS practice.
IRIS is a national project which works with GPs to combat domestic abuse and make the most of their opportunities to reach vulnerable victims. The project offers training and advice for GPs and practice staff on how to recognise and enquire about domestic abuse, and a dedicated support service for victims identified.
The NHS spends more time dealing with the impact of domestic abuse than almost any other agency. Doctors are often the first point of contact for victims struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-harm, and use of alcohol and drugs due to their experiences of violence. However GPs don’t often recognise domestic abuse: a survey of 1000 women in GPs waiting rooms found that whilst 41% had experienced physical abuse and 74% had experienced controlling behaviour from a partner, only 15% had any reference to domestic abuse in their medical history.