RCN launches new sexual health skills framework
Published: 22 June 2009
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today launched new guidance to help sexual and reproductive health nurses to provide the safest, most effective practice.
The Safer Health Competences document, available online, outlines the skills that sexual and reproductive health nurses from primary, secondary and community care settings across the UK need to develop in order 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.
Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
"Nurses play a vitally important role in sexual and reproductive healthcare. 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."
The current document has been accredited by the RCN Accreditation Unit and will be valid until November 2011. It reflects new guidance and also includes information on the role of the consultant nurse. The Sexual Health Competences document is available at http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/publications
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Notes to Editors
For further information, interviews with relevant case studies or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.