The IRIS programme is a training, referral and advocacy model that supports clinicians to better support their patients affected by domestic violence and abuse.
IRIS Training supports clinicians to recognise and respond to DVA. The programme provides a direct and trusted source for advocacy for patients following disclosure.
How IRISi Works
- With IRISi’s support, Manchester Women’s Aid works to establish, implement and maintain the programme in Salford, delivering it to local practicing clinicians (usually a GP).
- The team consists of an Advocate Educator (AE) and Clinical Lead, who is a local practicing clinician (usually a GP). The AE and Clinical Lead work in partnership to deliver the training and offer continued support to practices.
- The Advocate Educator also provides specialist DVA support to the patients referred into the service.
- The IRIS team is supported by a local IRIS steering group, and IRISi’s Regional Managers provide ongoing expert advice and consultancy.
What are the Results?
In eight years IRIS programmes have received 14,000 referrals and fully trained an estimated 850 general practices in 36 localities nationwide.
The result of IRIS programmes is not only better-informed practice, improved responses and support for patients experiencing DVA, but ultimately lives are changed and saved as a result of its successful implementation.
The IRIS programme is an evidence-based, effective and cost-effective intervention to improve the primary care response to DVA and is nationally recognised.
IRIS is cited by the Department of Health as the best practice for a primary care response to DVA (2010, 2011, 2017), and IRIS informed the NICE guidance and standards on DVA (2014 and 2016).