Sexual Health

Kathy French is Sexual Health Advisor at the Royal College of Nursing, and a member of the Independent Advisory Group at the Department of Health. She was previously Nurse Manager for contraception and abortion services at Kings College London NHS Trust

Forward. 1. Introduction. 2. Sexually transmitted infection, including HIV/AIDS. Chlamydia. Gonorrhoea. Genital Herpes. Syphilis. Hepatitis A, B, C. Genital Warts. Bacterial vaginosis. Trichomonas vaginalis. HIV/AIDS. Thrush. Partner notification. Ethical and legal implications. 3. Teenage Pregnancy. 4. Contraception. Oral contraception. Injectables. Sub-dermal implants. Intra-uterine contraception. Emergency contraception. Vaginal ring. Condoms. Natural fertility methods. Sterilisation. 5. Abortion. 6. Legal and Ethical Issues in sexual health. Consent and especially covering the mature minor. Confidentiality, including treatment. Abortion law. Child protection issues. Infected health care workers, what are their employment rights, who needs to know? 7. Sexual Assault and rape. Law around sexual assault, rape and the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The role of the nurse. Forensic interventions. 8. The role of the nurse in sexual health. To help nurses address the sexual health needs of their client group in any setting. This could be in a surgical ward, outpatient area or in an Accident and Emergency setting. Looks at careers in sexual health nursing, looking at the competency framework which underpins practice.