An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health

Shelley Mehigan; Janice Burnett

doi:10.1136/jfprhc-2012-100371

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A better way of working

An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health

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Nurse SRH training and accreditation in Hull, UK
Marian Everett
Published on: 13 May 2016
Nurse accreditation: a better way of working
Adrienne Swarbrick
Published on: 13 May 2016
Innovative training for nurses in SRH
Susan Hunt
Published on: 13 May 2016
Training for nurses working in SRH
Stuart Beddard
Published on: 13 May 2016
An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health.
Maddy Ward
Published on: 13 May 2016

Published on: 13 May 2016
Nurse SRH training and accreditation in Hull, UK
- Marian Everett, Consultant in Sexual & Reproductive Health
- Other Contributors:
  Carol Totterdell and Peter Gray
We write in response to the article in the July 2012 issue of this Journal by Shelley Mehigan and Janice Burnett entitled 'An innovative training for nurses in sexual health'[1]. We agree wholeheartedly that a nationally recognised, standardised training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health is needed and that the best way forward may be for the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) to accredit nurse...
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We write in response to the article in the July 2012 issue of this Journal by Shelley Mehigan and Janice Burnett entitled 'An innovative training for nurses in sexual health'[1]. We agree wholeheartedly that a nationally recognised, standardised training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health is needed and that the best way forward may be for the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) to accredit nurses or to open up the Faculty Diploma (DFSRH) to nurses. Mehigan and Burnett warn of the dangers of reinventing lots of different wheels. In Hull this is exactly what we have done.
Previous training initiatives to increase the numbers of long-active reversible contraception (LARC) providers within primary care proved unsuccessful due to low numbers of nurses with the prerequisite qualifications (i.e. a family planning qualification) necessary to access LARC training. In addition, a training needs assessment demonstrated lack of interest in undertaking a lengthy academic pathway to achieve family planning status. To overcome these problems we worked in partnership with commissioners and York St John University to develop a fast-track contraceptive course with 30 credits at degree level to enable nurses to counsel clients about all methods of contraception and to fit and remove subdermal implants.
We do, however, disagree with Mehigan and Burnett about the value of working with a university to ensure that the programme has academic accreditation. Even if the Faculty does eventually accredit nurses and we have a nationally recognised qualification thus standardising training across the UK this will not help nurses with their career pathway in the way that transferable academic credit can do. Nursing is now a degree and masters level profession and any training and education needs to reflect I the academic level of the knowledge and skills development involved. Nurses within our service in Hull have undergone much training, which has equipped them well in providing safe and effective care for their clients but has left them short on academic qualifications and the credibility which this brings. Working in true collaboration with a local university to achieve academic accreditation has enabled us to maintain ownership of our essentially practical skills-based course, but also given us access to the expertise of educationalists in a higher educational institution to ensure that our assessment processes are rigorous and appropriate. The university, always needing to update its own practices, has benefitted from the opportunity to work with practitioners who are at the forefront of service enhancement. Without accreditation we would not have obtained funding and approval from commissioners to provide this training, which we anticipate will make a real difference to the high unplanned pregnancy rates in our local area and demonstrate a tangible return on investment for all stakeholders.
We are more than willing to work with Mehigan and Burnett or indeed anyone else out there who is trying to reinvent wheels, but to do this effectively we believe that it is important to share practice with academic colleagues and avoid working in silos.
Reference 1. Mehigan S, Burnett J. An innovative training for nurses in sexual health. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2012;38:194-195.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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Published on: 13 May 2016
Nurse accreditation: a better way of working
- Adrienne Swarbrick, Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Well done Berkshire. I completely agree with Mehigan and Burnett[1] - it is essential that some standardisation is needed in the training of nurses in SRH across the UK and it is preferable that this should be accredited by the FSRH. There is also the valuable point that there is a belief that accreditation can only be achieved through academic institutes and the RCN! This is usually at significant cost for the course, time...
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Well done Berkshire. I completely agree with Mehigan and Burnett[1] - it is essential that some standardisation is needed in the training of nurses in SRH across the UK and it is preferable that this should be accredited by the FSRH. There is also the valuable point that there is a belief that accreditation can only be achieved through academic institutes and the RCN! This is usually at significant cost for the course, time out of practice and the cost of replacing that member of staff for the duration of the course; consequently not cost effective in these times of ever-reducing budgets. The application for accreditation from the RCN is now very expensive. The nurses that have had the enthusiasm and dedication to train in fitting implants and IUD/IUS (which increases the flexibility of the SRH service and improves service user choice) need to have the opportunity to access accreditation. I would support the notion that all nurses who have undertaken the SRH course and extended training in these areas should be able to obtain accreditation from the FSRH and therefore ensure that their skills are transferable. I would be very happy to offer any assistance and support to move this forward. Reference 1. Mehighan S, Burnett J. An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2012;38:194–195.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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Published on: 13 May 2016
Innovative training for nurses in SRH
- Susan Hunt, Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Other Contributors:
  Doreen Onslow
We read with great interest the article[1] by Mehigan and Burnett in the July 2012 issue of this Journal about training for post-graduation nurses in this particular field of specialism and agree wholeheartedly with the authors about the deplorable lack of standardised training in the UK. It is important to equip nurses with knowledge and skills to provide competency in the delivery of safe and effective methods of contra...
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We read with great interest the article[1] by Mehigan and Burnett in the July 2012 issue of this Journal about training for post-graduation nurses in this particular field of specialism and agree wholeheartedly with the authors about the deplorable lack of standardised training in the UK. It is important to equip nurses with knowledge and skills to provide competency in the delivery of safe and effective methods of contraception and the treatment of sexual health problems.
At Oxfordshire Contraception and Sexual Health Service (CASH) we have piloted our first training programme following the lead from the Reading model. We have used the e-SRH e-learning theory followed by the Course of 5 (C5) with clinical experience organised in clinical placements with dedicated mentors and course leader supervision.
A small cohort of nurses completed their training and evaluated the course positively. We are embarking on another course soon and hope that we can offer a more substantial validation in acknowledgement of all the trainees' hard work.
We look forward to an accreditation from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH) that addresses the disparity in training and assessment between doctors and nurses. A qualification for nurses similar to the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (DFSRH) would be greatly appreciated.
Reference 1. Mehigan S, Burnett J. An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2012;38:194-195.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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Published on: 13 May 2016
Training for nurses working in SRH
- Stuart Beddard, Clinical Nurse Specialist
I read the article[1] by Mehigan and Burnett in the July 2012 issue of this Journal about training for nurses working in the field of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with interest.
This is certainly a challenge faced by many, and one which we are trying to work on in Solihull at the moment. We have a significant number of nurses who are shining stars in the world of SRH and are waiting for funding to atten...
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I read the article[1] by Mehigan and Burnett in the July 2012 issue of this Journal about training for nurses working in the field of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with interest.
This is certainly a challenge faced by many, and one which we are trying to work on in Solihull at the moment. We have a significant number of nurses who are shining stars in the world of SRH and are waiting for funding to attend a university-based course that is currently being run in Coventry. We have an excellent relationship with our commissioner here and luckily have managed to secure two or three places this year, which is great news! However, some general practitioners are asking for a payment to backfill the nurse's post whilst they are out of the practice.
All of our practice nurses have access to SHIP Training (http://www.ship.bham.nhs.uk/), which provides an excellent foundation of knowledge at entry level, with the course at Coventry being the next level.
I agree and support the authors' thinking for nurses to have access to the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (DFSRH) with equal accreditation. This would certainly overcome the need to invest large amounts of money into a university-based course and would give nurses an even footing within our field. It also provides an established and structured programme of learning that has certainly been tried and tested.
Over the coming months we will be making some decisions around the type of training offered to our nurses, both within our CASH and GUM services as well as within primary care. Taking on board the authors' comments about "wobbly wheels" has really helped to clarify where we'll be heading with our discussions.
Journal readers will probably gather that training and development within the field is close to my heart as I am sure it is to Mehigan and Burnett. Consequently, I would be willing to offer my assistance and support to the worthy cause of improving training and accreditation for nurses working within SRH.
Reference 1. Mehigan S, Burnett J. An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2012;38:194-195.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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Published on: 13 May 2016
An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health.
- Maddy Ward, Specialist Nurse
I have just read and would like to congratulate the authors on their excellent article "An innovative training for nurses in sexual reproductive health" in the July 2012 issue of this Journal [1]. I totally agree with the five benefits of their methods of training. The most important one is matched multidisciplinary skills, this being so necessary for nurses to undertake further training to fit implants and intrauterine devi...
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I have just read and would like to congratulate the authors on their excellent article "An innovative training for nurses in sexual reproductive health" in the July 2012 issue of this Journal [1]. I totally agree with the five benefits of their methods of training. The most important one is matched multidisciplinary skills, this being so necessary for nurses to undertake further training to fit implants and intrauterine devices/systems. I was a founder member of the Faculty Associate Members Working Group (established in 2005) that has been trying to resolve the problem of opening up the Faculty's medical Diploma to nurses. Some 7 years on, surely now the time is appropriate to permit this for the future training of nurses in sexual reproductive health? The Faculty now has 16 nurses training doctors in subdermal implants and has nationally recognised their competence and skills. Please could the Faculty produce an accreditation mechanism for nurses in sexual reproductive health? Reference 1. Mehighan S, Burnett J. An innovative training for nurses in sexual and reproductive health. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2012;38:194-195.
Conflict of Interest:
None declared
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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