- Introduction to Sandyford Professional training for Healthcare Staff
- Student training
- Taster Sessions
- Contraception Training
- eLearning for Healthcare
Professional Training for Healthcare Staff
Sandyford’s training programmes are delivered by experienced clinicians, educators, and multidisciplinary specialists. Training is grounded in evidence-based practice, national clinical standards, and a strong safeguarding framework. Our aim is to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and competencies needed to deliver safe, inclusive, and effective sexual health services in a range of clinical settings.
Sandyford provides a range of structured training and educational activities for qualified healthcare professionals, including:
- Doctors
- Nurses and midwives
- Allied health professionals
- Professionals working in community, primary care, and specialist settings
Training focuses on key elements of sexual and reproductive healthcare, such as:
- Contraception and reproductive health
- STI testing, diagnosis, and management
- HIV prevention and care pathways
- Psychosexual and relationship health
- Trauma-informed and safeguarding-led practice
- Inclusive care for LGBTQ+ communities
- Communication skills and person-centred approaches
Student Training
Sandyford supports the education of students undertaking approved healthcare programmes. This includes medical, nursing, and other relevant health and social care trainees.
Student learning is centred on:
- An introduction to sexual and reproductive health
- Public health approaches to sexual wellbeing
- Awareness of clinical pathways and multidisciplinary practice
Taster Session
We offer a range of engaging taster sessions designed to give prospective applicants a real insight into the diverse disciplines within our service. These sessions provide an opportunity to explore different roles, meet members of our multidisciplinary team, and gain a clearer understanding of the work we do to support sexual health and wellbeing in our communities.
If you’re interested in taking part, please complete the application form to register your interest and help us match you with the most suitable taster. Sandyford taster sessions application form
Please note : We must receive your completed application form at least 8 weeks before your dates for attendance.
Contraception Training
Diploma of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (DCSRH)
Provides you with the knowledge and skills to enable you to carry out effective contraception consultation as part of a comprehensive approach to SRH care. If you have previously completed this training but de-skilled and wish a refresher session this can be arranged at Sandyford with one of our trainers. Please contact the training department by email to arrange this.
Who can apply:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Pharmacists
Entry requirements:
- Registered with a UK or Irish medical professional regulatory body and have a license to practice if that is required by your regulator
- Able to give an intramuscular injection
- Able to give an subcutaneous injection
- Able to perform a speculum examination
- Resuscitation and anaphylaxis training in line with current UK Guidelines
What it involves:
The Diploma is made up of four different assessment frameworks. You will be assessed in the following ways:
- Independent Learning Portfolio (ILP) The ILP contains a mixture of self-guided learning, topic investigations, case discussion and patient feedback.
- Online Theory Assessment (OTA) This online multiple-choice assessment will be made up of 50 questions and will take one hour to complete. All questions presented will relate to the DCSRH learning outcomes mentioned below. There will be a practice assessment available.
- Summative Clinical Assessments (SCA) You will be expected to complete five SCAs within clinical settings.
- Assessment Half Day (AHD) The Assessment Half Day is a clear, standardised assessment done face-to-face. It consists of a written assessment lasting one hour as well as four stations which you will complete in rotation. Before you go into each station, you will have a short time to read through the case scenario and understand what skills and knowledge will be assessed.
Costs
£315 fee to CoSRH for access to ILP and OTA
Sandyford charges £75 per clinical session. Most people need 2-3 to complete SCAs
Sandyford charges £150 for the AHD and we run 1-2 a year. The AHD can also be accessed through CoSRH for £300.
Letter of Competence Intrauterine Techniques
Provides you with the necessary knowledge, attitude and skills to support women seeking contraception. It will enable you to provide intrauterine contraception competently, and manage any complications and side-effects that may occur. If you have previously completed this training but de-skilled and wish a refresher session this can be arranged at Sandyford with one of our trainers. Please contact the training department by email to arrange this.
Who can apply:
This training programme is aimed at healthcare professionals already working in general practice and community sexual health services.
Entry requirements:
- Be registered with a UK or Irish medical professional regulatory body and have a license to practice
- Have the experience and skill to conduct a competent clinical consultation
- Be up-to-date with resuscitation and anaphylaxis training
- Be competent in giving an intramuscular injection
- Have read the current CoSRH guidance on intrauterine contraception
- Be up to date with Level 3 safeguarding children and young people
- Be up to date with Level 2 safeguarding adults
- Be competent in undertaking a speculum examination
- Will need to either have DCSRH or sit the OTA exam first before practical sessions can begin
- Ned to complete eLfH module on IUDs
What it involves:
Minimum of 7 competent insertions
Costs:
- OTA costs £88 per attempt
- Sandyford charges £75 per clinical session. Most Doctors need 3-4 sessions. Nurses can be 6 or more.
- To get LOC costs £118 if you have done DCSRH; £490 if you have not (trainee can also apply to be a CoSRH Associate Member which will result in a cheaper fee)
Letter of Competence Subdermal Implants (Insertion and Removal)
Provides you with the necessary knowledge, attitude and skills to support women seeking contraception. It will enable you to provide and remove subdermal implants competently, and manage any complications and side-effects that may occur. If you have previously completed this training but de-skilled and wish a refresher session this can be arranged at Sandyford with one of our trainers. Please contact the training department by email to arrange this.
Who can apply:
Healthcare professionals already working in general practice and community sexual health services.
Entry Requirements:
- Be registered with a UK or Irish medical professional regulatory body and have a license to practice
- Have the experience and skill to conduct a competent clinical consultation
- Be up-to-date with resuscitation and anaphylaxis training
- Be competent in giving an intramuscular injection
- Have read the current CoSRH guidance on subdermal implants
- Be up to date with Level 3 safeguarding children and young people
- Be up to date with Level 2 safeguarding adults
- Will need to either have DCSRH or sit the OTA exam first before practical sessions can begin
- Need to complete eLfH module on implants
What it involves:
Need 2 competent consecutive insertions, and 2 competent consecutive removals
What it costs:
- OTA costs £88 per attempt
- Sandyford charges £75 per clinical session. Most people need 2-3 sessions.
- To get LOC costs £118 if you have done DCSRH; £490 if you have not (trainee can also apply to be a CoSRH Associate Member which will result in a cheaper fee)
West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network Implant Training Pathway
Assists nurses and midwives who wish to acquire the knowledge and skills to undertake insertion and removal of the contraceptive implant to do so without the costs/ OTA associated with CoSRH LOC. Please note this qualification is only recognised locally and there is no recertification associated with this training pathway.
Who can apply:
Any registered nurse or midwife who works in an area where there is a service need for implant fitting/ removal
Entry requirements:
- On NMC register
- See enough patients in clinical work to maintain competence
- Evidence of BLS and anaphylaxis in last 12 months
- Either have a specialist qualification in SRH OR need to complete 8 eLfH SRH modules online
What it involves:
Need 2 competent consecutive insertions, and 2 competent consecutive removals.
What it costs:
Sandyford charges £75 per clinical session. Most people about 3 sessions.
eLearning for Healthcare
Please find below useful resources for learning more about sexual health and for guidance if you are considering specialty training in Genitourinary Medicine or Community Sexual and Reproductive Health.
eLearning for healthcare
Sexual health and HIV programme – eLearning for Healthcare
Sexual and reproductive health programme – eLearning for Healthcare
Lovegum/BASHH
Information on GUM training – Love GUM
The College of Sexual and Reproductive Health Information on SRH training – CoSRH
For practitioners interested in sexual health, please review e-learning options via: TURAS