Sorry I was one of the ones who focused on the risk of being pushed into a religious circumcism.
But I can't help but pick up on something that another poster wrote:
"why would an imam do it? what medical qualifications would they have? Also they have costs, insurance, etc, to pay, so why would they do it for free"
They dont have medical training, and it's not done via insurance and registering etc. It's not seen as a medical operation or procedure.
It tends to be done for a relatively small amount of money (100-200£), and the Imam usually attends a private residence and does a brief ceremony for the family and circumcises the male baby, or it can be in a place of worship.
The NHS used to do circumcism 'on request' a couple of decades ago, but now have a strong policy of refusal due to the increasing numbers and changing cultural norms which means it's now a divisive and of course, unnecessary procedure that isn't tolerated in the same way.
I asked about it when I was pregnant, at a consultants appointment, as my stbxh was pressuring me. I was shut down pretty damn quick and only after found out what a contentious societal issue it was, (beyond my own personal feelings on the matter), having never come across it personally before. It's a shame they didn't discuss it properly and explain why they don't do it, risks, harm to the baby etc etc. As my (very much non-d) husband would have listened to someone in a position of authority more than just from me.
Anyway, I then did alot of research around that time, talked to a couple of Imans, and others in communities where it's more accepted, and of course the consultant I mentioned previously as well as private hospitals that offer it under general anaesthetic (£6k+ at the Portland )
I got the most useful insight via the doc I mentioned earlier, who has made it his mission to help when things go wrong, which is very needed as in some communities & families, people are reluctant to go through official channels due to the contentiousness of having it done, and the fear of being judged.
So a doctor who will come straight round to people's houses at all hours is such a good thing. He teaches aftercare, corrects dressings, finishes the job of its not complete, and stitches up where he can. He also he told me he's had to call ambulances and accompany the baby & family to hospital. He gives emergency advice via phone and Skype, for example, about where to press and how hard if a major blood vessel has been cut. He also explained that only a&e departments with an in house emergency paed would have the knowledge to intervene in a botched circumcision, which is a scary thought, as many hospitals don't have this.
But as this procedure isn't performed regularly by NHS doctors anymore, docs just don't get the experience.
At the moment, it's the worst of both worlds in the UK, with many baby boys still being circumcised, outside the healthcare service, yet with doctors and medics within our healthcare service not doing this procedure, there isn't the body of practical knowledge that is needed to help in an emergency.
In that respect, it's a bit like giving birth to babies in difficult positions, where less and less midwives/ docs have direct experience of natural births, so become less and less willing to attend without swift intervention... Eg breech plus back to back.
Obviously, I heard all the horror stories about when things go wrong.
The majority of times, it goes absolutely fine and the Imam's have expertise born of practice and experience. But .... And but.... the risks, not good at all.