Our next sexual health update

We will be discussing contraception competencies on Wednesday 9 September, 2-3pm online via Teams. As a GP or healthcare professional you are free to join this call via the link below.

Join the call

Information for GPs and healthcare professionals

This page is for GPs, nurses, pharmacists, hospital clinicians and other healthcare professionals who refer patients into our Sexual Health Service. It provides information to support appropriate referrals, improve patient pathways and reduce delays in access to care.

If you are not a healthcare referrer and are looking for guidance, training or resources to support people with sexual health needs, please use our 'Supporting people with sexual health needs' page.

If you are a patient or member of the public, please visit our Sexual Health Service pages to find advice, support and information about how to access care.

Commissioned contraception services – important information for referrers

Our Sexual Health Service is commissioned to provide contraceptive care for contraceptive purposes only.

We provide:

  • Contraceptive fittings, insertions and replacements
  • Long‑acting reversible contraception (LARC), including:
    • Intrauterine devices and intrauterine systems (for example, Mirena)
    • Contraceptive implants
    • Contraceptive injections
  • Ongoing contraceptive care where there is a clear contraceptive need

Please note:

  • Women aged 55 years and over should not be referred for contraceptive procedures
  • Women under 55 years should only be referred where there is an ongoing contraceptive requirement

We are not commissioned to provide contraceptive procedures where the primary indication is non‑contraceptive, including:

  • Endometrial protection as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Management of heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Other gynaecological or medical indications unrelated to contraception

Where a device or procedure is required solely for non‑contraceptive reasons, patients should remain under GP management and be referred to Gynaecology or the appropriate specialty as required.

Please do not direct these patients to our service, as this may result in inappropriate bookings and delays in care.

Service delivery overview

We deliver a range of sexual health services across multiple locations and settings. Services may include:

  • Face‑to‑face sexual health clinics
  • Contraception clinics, including coils and implants
  • Asymptomatic STI testing
  • PrEP and HIV prevention services
  • Young People’s Clinics
  • Outreach services across priority communities

Service availability varies by location and day. Please refer to current service information or contact the service team if you are unsure about the most appropriate referral route.

Four healthcare staff stand together in a hospital corridor, discussing something as one holds a sheet of paper.

Referrals and signposting

Referrals should be made in line with the commissioned service scope outlined above. Clear and appropriate referrals help ensure patients are booked into the right service and seen as quickly as possible.

Referral forms and supporting information are available below.

You can find information and guidance regarding the referral process for the psychosexual therapy service on link below.

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Training and education for GPs and healthcare staff

We offer a range of education and training opportunities for healthcare professionals working in primary care, secondary care and community settings.

Training opportunities may include:

  • Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) national competencies
  • CFSRH
  • LoC SDI and LoC IUT
  • Training for GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists and hospital staff
  • Undergraduate and postgraduate clinical placements
  • Refresher days and annual sexual health updates
  • LARC masterclasses and taster sessions

Training is delivered through a mix of scheduled sessions and locally supported opportunities. Free training opportunities may be shared with local stakeholders as part of ongoing workforce development.

If you would like to discuss training availability or register interest, please contact the team.

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Outreach and partnership working

We work closely with healthcare, education and community partners to support health promotion, early intervention and equitable access to sexual health services.

This includes:

  • Support for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
  • Training and resources for schools and professionals
  • Outreach support for young people, vulnerable groups and marginalised communities
  • Multi‑agency working to improve service awareness and referral pathways
Two Happy Female Staff Talking To Male Staff

Resources for healthcare professionals

Resources to support referrers and clinical staff may include:

  • Professional leaflets
  • Newsletters and service updates
  • Training plans and supporting materials

Additional resources will be added as they become available.

resources

Professional enquiries

Sexual Health Service - Professionals enquiries

If you would like further information about training or education, partnership or outreach working, resources for professionals, or referral pathways, then please get in touch. Please note that this information is for professional enquires

Contact number: 0300 365 7777 (option 5)

Email: gardenclinicadmin@berkshire.nhs.uk