RCN launches new sexual health skills framework

Published: 22 June 2009

The RCN has launched new guidance to help sexual and reproductive health nurses provide safe and effective practice.

Sexual health competences outlines the skills that UK sexual and reproductive health nurses from primary, secondary and community care settings need to develop to provide safe, effective and accountable care to patients. The framework is designed as a template that can be modified to suit local needs. It is intended to help managers and individual practitioners to review their strengths and identify gaps in their skills and abilities to determine specific training and development needs.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter says that nurses play a vitally important role in sexual and reproductive health care. He adds:

"This guidance will help to inform the commissioning, development and delivery of appropriate education and training to ensure these nurses have the best possible skills to suit the needs of the patients in their local area."

Accredited by the RCN Accreditation Unit, the document will be valid until November 2011.

Read Sexual health competences (PDF 2.9KB) [see how to access PDF files].