Menopause Training

Click on the links below.

• BMS/RCOG Menopause Special Skills Module
• BMS/FFPRHC special skills in menopause
• Menopause education for nurses

Menopause Education for Nurses

Nurses are at the forefront of menopause practice, especially in primary care, but few have completed any formal training to demonstrate their knowledge and competence. The Nursing and Midwiifery (NMC) Code of Conduct highlights that you are personally accountable for your practice, regardless of direction from another professional and it is your own responsibility to ensure that your practice is competent. Completing a recognised course does not ensure competence but enhances your knowledge and may help demonstrate a defined level of practice. It will also help you when considering the Knowledge and Skills Framework within Agenda for Change.

1. Foundation Course
Developed in partnership with The Menopause Clinical and Research Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, this two day course aims to provide nurses with a foundation knowledge of issues relevant to menopause. This includes:

• Physiology, signs and symptoms
• An understanding of the relationship between ageing in women and osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and mental health problems
• An understanding of therapeutic options, hormonal, non hormonal and complementary.
• An introduction to nurse assessment, monitoring and prescribing.

A Certificate of Attendance will be issued on completion.
This course is aimed at:

• Practice Nurses
• Sexual Health Nurses
• Gynaecology Nurses
• Endocrinology Nurses
• Menopause Nurses
• Allied Health Professionals working in Women’s Health, such as pharmacists, dieticians, physiotherapists are also wlecome.
  

Next Course:
April 1st and 2nd 2008 In Manchester.
Belfast: Dates to be confirmed.
Harrow, November 5th and 6th 2008.


Information: Kathy.abernethy@btinternet.com
Tel: 0208 869 2877

2. The Menopause Course – university credit rated.
This programme has been developed in partnership with The Menopause Clinical and Research Unit at Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow.

Format: The course comprises of 5 days face to face teaching and work based learning over a five month period. Face to face teaching is split into two 2½ days, beginning and end. Between teaching blocks will be self directed learning, assisted by a ‘mentor’, using a reflective diary. Total learning time is 150 hours, including time for the assignment.

Accreditation: This course is credit rated by Greenwich University for 15 credits at level 3 and is accredited by the RCN Accreditation Unit.

Content: The course will include -

• Indepth knowledge of menopause and its effects
• Knowledge of social, cultural, psychological and biological explanations of menopause
• Osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer in relation to menopause
• In depth knowledge of treatment strategies, conventional and complementary
• Specific HRT understanding, side effects, risks and contraindications
• Assessment and evaluations
• Decision making and organisation skills

Aimed at: 

• Experienced practitioners, especially practice nurses
• Specialist nurses
• Prescribing nurses
• Senior nurses
• Nurse Practitioners
• Other health professionals also welcome

The course aims to be highly relevant, with clinical scenarios, prescribing guidelines and opportunities for discussion and reflection on all topics relating to menopause. For prescribing nurses, it will offer a credit rated, formal demonstration of competency in HRT prescribing knowledge.

Next course: September 2008.
Information: Kathy.abernethy@btinternet.com
Tel: 0208 869 2877.