Contraception for Practice Nurses

This 2 day evidence-based course using information from the Family Planning Association, the Faculty of Reproductive and Sexual Health, Public health England and NICE guidelines, will be structured to help you safely perform pill checks, administer contraceptive injections as prescribed and discuss alternative methods of contraception where this is appropriate.

Course Content

Ensuring & improving access to services

• Awareness of barriers to services
• Equality and rights of different groups

Review of the evidence for risks and benefits of all methods

• Revision of relevant anatomy and physiology
• Name the methods & consider their effectiveness
• Where to find evidence (UKMEC)
• Where to direct patients
• Consider contraindications for each method

Assess which method is right for your patient

• What do we need to know?
• What do we need to measure?
• What information does the pt need?
• What must be documented?

The Pill Check

• Ensuring correct use
• Directing towards other methods if no longer suitable

Depo

• Safe administration technique
• Considering self-administration (Sayana-Press)
• Dealing with patient who attends late

Sexual Health

• Recognising common STIs
• Discussing prevention
• Directing patients to appropriate help

Emergency Contraception

• Who needs it? Which type to recommend
• Additional advice for the Patient

Legal issues affecting provision of contraception

• Confidentiality
• Consent (Fraser Competence)
• Safeguarding & Abuse
• Record keeping

Aims and Outcomes

• Provide information regarding the benefits and risks of available methods of contraception, their efficacy and suitability, including emergency contraception.
• Discuss ways to ensure and improve equality of access to contraceptive services P
• rovide an awareness of associated legal issues
• Identification and prevention of common STIs
• Practical advice regarding contraindications and how/when to change or stop the method used.
• Where to find evidence and how to keep up-to-date
• Ability to take a sexual history
• Understanding UK law relating to sexual consent, safeguarding, and data protection
• Confidence in discussing contraceptive options
• Ability to carry out a safe and effective annual pill check and administer contraceptive injections
• Knowledge of how to refer patients appropriately for other related services or when identifying needs outside the remit of the primary care nurse