Sexual Health: A Nurse's Guide (Real Nursing)

Product Information

Sexual health is an indicator of peoples’ physical, emotional, mental and social wellness. It is not only about the practice of sex; it is an integral part of the personality, identity and self-affirmation [ 1]. Sexuality is a meaningful and enriching personal experience. It prevents many adverse health outcomes and enhances people’s well-being [ 2]. Sexuality is a right to respect and protect and a need to attend to and fulfil without any discrimination or judgement [ 3].

The national e-learning programme, Identifying and Responding to Sexual Assault and Abuse , provides information, advice and resources for health and care professionals who may be involved in the care of people who have experienced rape, sexual assault and / or abuse. Sexual health is often adversely affected by physical and psychosocial problems which may affect sexual functioning and lead to sexual dissatisfaction. For example, more than half of diabetic men and women suffer from sexual dysfunction [ 8]. This problem is serious among patients with chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis [ 9] and cardiovascular problems [ 10]. Breast and prostate cancer, the most prevalent females and males’ cancer, heavily alters patients’ sexual life [ 11, 12]. More than half of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis report different types of sexual dysfunctions [ 13]. This proportion varies between 33 and 42% respectively among women and men who have mental health problems [ 14]. Other life conditions like infertility problems among couples, ageing, hormonal changes, chronic diseases and medications are additional risk factors for sexual dysfunction [ 15, 16]. In turn, sexual dysfunction leads to poor physical and mental health outcomes [ 17, 18]. It also negatively impacts the quality of life of the partners and impairs family interaction [ 19]. Dyer and Nair 8 conducted a systematic review of literature exploring healthcare professionals’ experience of discussing sexuality and sexual health issues with patients in the UK. This review identified various emerging themes that suggested why healthcare professionals did not feel able to incorporate sexual health discussions in routine practice. See if you can identify with any of those listed below: By signing up to this charter, NHS staff will now receive more support if they have suffered any form of misconduct, while workers will also receive further training so they can help colleagues and the patients they treat. Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.Astbury-Ward E. A questionnaire survey of the provision of training in human sexuality in schools of nursing in the United Kingdom. Sexual and Relationship Therapy 2011;26(3):254-270.

Consultant practitioner can be defined as the pinnacle of the clinical career ladder for all health and social care disciplines in the UK. They provide expert clinical practice and exercise their authority in complex cases that carry a high risk and are unpredictable, alongside clinical service development and strong clinical leadership. To play a pivotal role in the integration of clinical, education and research findings in providing practice and defining clinical practice. The consultant practitioner is able to initiate clinical service developments and deliver improved patient outcomes through the implementation of the findings of clinical research clinical audit, clinical governance and clinical risk assessment. They have the freedom to act and have the autonomy and authority to make changes within clinical and service development within their organisation. It will help practitioners, managers, employers, Higher Education Institutions and commissioners, to better understand the role of nurses working in specialist integrated sexual health services. Lorraine is a Trustee of the Sexual Advice Association and involved as an advisor and lecturer for Prostate Cancer UK. She regularly contributes to the Macmillan Online Community ‘Ask an Expert’ forum. She is a member of the British and International Societies of Sexual Medicine and College of Sex and Relationship Therapists. Your local pharmacy may offer emergency contraception and sometimes can test for STIs such as chlamydia. However, this service will not necessarily be free of charge. On the contrary, having sex and intimacy can have beneficial effects on patients' and partners' relations. Patients with chronic health conditions may have serious sexual concerns and express the need for assistance which is often not provided [ 38]. Health professionals caring for cancerous and end-stage kidney disease patients ascertain that all those who receive treatment that impacts their sexuality should receive sexual rehabilitation and assistance [ 18].

Search news

West Sussex Integrated Sexual Health Service is looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic full time Band 6 Senior Sexual Health Nurse to work with our dynamic team in Chichester. many of the professions working in these services do not have clear education and pre- and post-education and training pathways. Sexual health services are free and available to everyone, regardless of sex, age, ethnic origin and sexual orientation. Meystre-Agustoni G, Jeannin A, Dubois-Arber F. Talking about sexuality with the physician: are patients receiving what they wish? Swiss Med Wkly. 2011;141(0910):1–6. This codified charter commits all participating organisations to vigilance of inappropriate behaviour and will ensure that the safety of our staff is a top priority across the NHS”.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Public Health Forum has created a training directory highlighting the training and qualifications needed by nursing staff working in sexual health. The tool sits alongside a new publication, Sexual and Reproductive Health, which explains the routes into this area of nursing. Sexual health education directory A fundamental factor is how you conduct the consultation as this can affect whether the patient takes on board any advice given, and whether they feel able to return for future discussions. The principles apply to all nursing consultations, but the following are particular areas to consider for a sexual health consultation: the commissioning and provision of these services in England is complex and fragmented affecting patient experience and continuity of care; I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support and look forward to working with you to ensure the NHS is a safe space for staff and patients, and a place in which sexual misconduct, violence, harassment or abuse will not be tolerated. The NHS must be a place of safety, offering a safe space for victims of abuse to seek support. The programme will lead and co-ordinate, working in particular with ICBs, to support them to discharge responsibilities including the Serious Violence Duty which, requires organisations, including ICBs, to collaborate locally to prevent and reduce ‘serious violence’, which includes domestic abuse and sexual offences.You’ll also be encouraged to take up work experience in a number of sexual health related organisations such as Brook Young People’s service, George House Trust, Youth Zones, Drug and Alcohol Services, Barnado’s as well as local schools and colleges. It’s not a course requirement but it will help you deepen your theoretical understanding and strengthen your grades. Sabanciogullari S, Yılmaz FT, Güngör FI, Söylemez S, Benli RB. Sexual function in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and its effects on patients’ perception of health and life satisfaction. Sex Disabil. 2015;33(2):175–86. Eroglu N, Yuntem A. Determination of factors affecting sexual life changes in women with breast cancer. Int J Caring Sci. 2019;12(2):783. The post holder will be guided by the Team Manager in working on the continued development of the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS) within the locality (hub and spokes). https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/advanced-clinical-practitioner-degree/

Sexual and reproductive health is a key component of our health and wellbeing, affecting men, women and transgender people throughout their lives. Those from vulnerable and marginalised communities may suffer if they find it difficult to access these services. BASHH Education Fellowships for Physicians Taking Higher Specialist Training in Genitourinary Medicine 2022

Key Resources

Signing up to this charter shows how committed NHS England and other healthcare organisations are to supporting those under their responsibility, where leaders will be supported to take charge and act upon signs of abuse, signposting to the appropriate support networks. The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line and online chat is a government funded service run by Rape Crisis England and Wales. The Support Line, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for victims and survivors of any gender, can be reached by dialling 0808 500 2222. I am happy to see NHS England lead the way, in this first sexual safety charter, collaborating alongside those with lived experience. We will have plenty of work ahead so we can bring this pledge to fruition – we owe to it to our patients and staff”.