Helping women to choose a contraceptive method that suits them, preventing unintended pregnancies and diagnosing STIs are important aspects of primary care.

At the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), we recognise that health professionals are the first point of call for many patients with sexual and reproductive health needs. This is why we have launched SRH Essentials, a one-day course for health professionals working in primary care and other community settings. SRH Essentials covers the key information needed for health professionals to safely raise sexual health matters in patient consultations. It will equip health professionals with the knowledge to signpost or refer patients on for starting contraception, STI testing or emergency contraception.

Who is SRH Essentials for?

If you are a nurse, doctor, physician associate, paramedic or pharmacist working in primary care or a community setting, then SRH Essentials is a fantastic way of developing your SRH knowledge and providing you with the skills and confidence to safely and effectively consult with patients about their SRH needs. SRH Essentials is suitable for health professionals who have recently moved into this role and who have little or no experience in SRH, and for those currently working in this area who has only undertaken a limited amount of SRH training.

Why should I attend?

This course will give you the skills and confidence to:

  • Bring up the topic of contraception and sexual health with your patient
  • Assess and safely reissue (not start for the first time):
  • Combined hormonal methods
  • Progesterone-only pill
  • Injection
  • Assess whether a woman is at risk of pregnancy
  • Decide which method/s of emergency contraception your patient may safely consider
  • Identify when your patient is at risk of an STI
  • Decide when to refer to a GP, SRH colleague or other service.

This will be a face-to-face session unless circumstances change.

If you are eligible for CPD funding and have not already used your funding please use the alternative link for the CPD course.