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ENHANCING SEXUAL WELLBEING IN SCOTLAND - A SEXUAL HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS STRATEGY: Analysis of Written Responses to the Public Consultation
CHAPTER 16: EDUCATION AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The National Sexual Health Programme Co-ordinator should co-ordinate the development of a national sexual health training strategy to provide generic and specialist skills in sexual and reproductive health Each Lead Clinician should undertake an audit of the training needs of health care practitioners to facilitate the implementation of the tiered service approach Each Local Sexual Health Co-ordinator should identify inter-agency sexual health training needs in response to all tiers and plans to address these should be identified in the inter-agency sexual health strategy NHS Boards should develop joint training for health and Local Authority personnel to develop core skills in communication, attitudes and relationships addressing the wider social and cultural determinants of sexual health NES should work with professional bodies and professional networks to develop a competency-based framework to support the tiered service approach NES should work with the education sector and appropriate professional organisations to develop/enhance supporting training programmes at undergraduate and post qualification levels The Scottish Executive, in conjunction with the National Sexual Health Advisory Committee, should work with professional bodies, regulatory institutions and statutory and voluntary training providers to ensure that undergraduate, postgraduate and ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes provide staff with the range of skills and knowledge to respond to the sexual health and wellbeing agenda |
16.1 Understandably, responses in relation to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) largely came from Health and Education professionals rather than Individuals. Under one tenth of responses commented and the considerable majority were in support, with just a couple being negative owing to concerns about resources. Some issues and concerns were, however, raised by those who were positive about continuing CPD and training.
"Travel, time and staff cover are particular barriers for take-up of training in rural and island areas" (Social Health)
"Teacher training needs to be reviewed to incorporate the teaching of SRE." (Social Health)
"Training should include equality issues." (Social Health)
"The amount of training required may have serious staffing resource implications". (Medical Health)
16.2 There were also concerns that the voluntary sector appeared to have been omitted from the CPD recommendation.
"…the omission of the voluntary sector from the recommendation on training was highly regrettable. The group considers the inclusion of the voluntary sector essential and a positive step for the Executive's compact with the sector." (Equalities)
16.3 Other specific comments relating to CPD recommendations were as follows:
"We would recommend that the implementation clearly specifies the level of competence expected of practitioners at different service levels and recommends adoption of nationally recognised courses and qualifications such as the BASHH Sexually Transmitted Infections Foundation course, the Diploma of the Faculty of Family Planning, and the Diploma of Genitourinary Medicine of the Society of Apothecaries." (Medical Health)
"The strategy is more focused on CPD for doctors than nurses and that the development of enhanced competencies for SH nursing appears to have no explicit support in the strategy." (Medical Health)
"The Family Planning Certificate is NOT appropriate for SENs. Need to develop training linked to NES competency framework". (Medical Health)
16.4 Not many comments were made in relation to developing an evidence base. Specific comments were:
"We would recommend coordination with the programme of work that is currently underway in England in order to avoid duplication." (Education and Young People)
"Recognition should be given to the necessity for long-term research which will indicate changes to life-long behaviour and attitude patterns. The [organisation] recognises that this is more important than short-term figures. The objectives of the strategy will not be realised in the short-term and all those involved in its implementation and evaluation (especially the media) will require to be aware that change might not happen quickly." (Faith Group)
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