Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare

In January 2010 the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare launched their new Diploma course. The course comprises of three stages:

1. e-SRH - an e-learning course
2. Course of 5 - a course of five seminars
3. Clinical experience - clinical sessions at the Contraception & Sexual Health Clinic

The stages must be taken in the correct order; there will be assessments at each stage and the assessments must be passed in order to move on to the next stage (see training pathway diagram below). The three stages of the diploma must be completed within three years of registration.

When you register to do the course you will be set up with an e-portfolio where all your learning and assessments will be recorded.

Registering for the DFSRH

In order to register to do the DFSRH you must contact the Faculty directly at www.ffprhc.org.uk (go to training & exams). There is a registration form that must be filled in, printed off and sent in the post to the Faculty along with £50 registration fee. The Faculty will then send you your individual password to access the e-portfolio and the e-learning course.

DFSRH Entry Requirements

Prior to registering for the DFSRH you need to fulfill three entry requirements:

1. Consultation skills – you must have basic consultation skills
2. IM Injection – you must be able to give an intramuscular injection
3. Gynaecology examination – you must be able to perform both digital and speculum vaginal examinations and be able to take a cervical smear.

If you are in a training position your educational supervisor must certify that you have these skills. If you are already a GP or a Consultant you will be able to self certify.

Training Pathway

e-SRH

Once you have registered to do the diploma you can access the e-learning course (e-SRH) at www.e-lfh.org.uk/e-srh, this is a free course.

The e-SRH is made up of 18 modules. Modules 1 to 14 are the basic contraception and sexual health knowledge modules and must be taken and passed. Module 15 is an assessment module and must be passed before proceeding to the next part of the diploma (Course of 5). Modules 16 & 18 are optional. Module 17 is the theory module for training in Subdermal implants and must also be passed before proceeding to the Course of 5.

The e-SRH is a comprehensive course covering basic sexual health and contraception knowledge, which will ensure that you are well equipped to go on to the more practical part of the diploma.

Course of 5

Once you have passed the e-SRH you will be able to register to do a Course of 5.

Course of 5 Application form

Programme for course of 5

The cost of the one-day Course of 5 is £300 consisting of five one-hour seminars.

The Course of 5 provides an opportunity to apply the knowledge from the e-SRH to clinical scenarios, and to demonstrate some practical skills. It will include 9 of the assessments for the DFSRH. At least 7 of these must be successfully completed before the trainee can start their clinical sessions.

Course of 5 Organiser: Alison Little alison.little@westminster-pct.nhs.uk

Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm

Tel 020 8962 4450   Fax 020 8962 4451

See here for further info: http://wcsh.org.uk/course-of-5

Clinical Experience

Once you have passed the Course of 5 you will be able to proceed to the clinical part of the diploma. Most candidates will need to do four clinical sessions in order to complete their training.

There will be assessments in each clinical session which will either involve:

• direct observation of clinical skills by the assessor (ACP = assessment of clinical practice) OR
• discussion of a consultation not directly observed by the assessor (RDCP = reflection & discussion of clinical practice)

When you have passed all the clinical assessments you can then apply for the Diploma to the FSRH.

Faculty website:

Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare

Information on Diploma