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SEXUAL HEALTH

The Government is working to:

  • Reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (stis) and HIV
  • Reduce unintended pregnancies (particularly teenage pregnancies)
  • Improve the range, access to and quality of sexual health service provision, with a focus on reducing health inequalities.

A Framework for sexual health improvement in England Department of Health, 2013. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-framework-for-sexual-health-improvement-in-england

‘Sex. Worth talking about’ campaign https://www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout

You’re Welcome Quality criteria for young people friendly health service https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/quality-criteria-for-young-people-friendly-health-services

The Association for Young People's Health https://www.youngpeopleshealth.org.uk

Practice Nurse featured article

Long term conditions, medication and sexual health Beverley Bostock-Cox 

Treating teenagers Dr Mary Lowth 

Progress in developing sexual health services in primary care is variable. There is potential for extension of the practice nurse role.

Basic services  are as follows:

  • Sexual history taking and risk assessment
  • Testing for STIs in women
  • HIV testing and counselling
  • Cervical cytology screening and referral
  • Contraception information and services
  • Pregnancy testing and early referral to maternity or abortion services
  • Assessment of men with STI symptoms
  • Hepatitis B immunisation

A nurse running a sexual health clinic should ideally have taken a course in contraception and/or sexual health.

 

Handbook of Sexual Health in Primary Care. fpa, 2006. https://www.rcgp.org.uk/bookshop/clinical-topics/sexual-health/the-handbook-of-sexual-health-in-primary-care.aspx

Sexual and reproductive health care – training and competence recognition, Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare https://www.fsrh.org/pages/Training.asp

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV Sexually Transmitted Infections Foundation and HIV course and current guidelines on STIs and HIV https://www.bashh.org/

e-Learning for Sexual Health and HIV: eHIV-STI Free DH programme https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/sexual-health-and-hiv/

Genitourinary Nurses Association Website lists recognised courses throughout the UK https://www.guna.org.uk

Greenwich University Offers a range of courses, including a distance-learning module https://www2.gre.ac.uk/study/courses

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