External Training

E-learning for GPs

The BMJ learning module, primarily for GPs is now live.

Upon completion participants will:

• Have an understanding of the principles of screenig and how they are applied in practice
• Know what NHS antenatal and newborn screening programmes are available
• Know where to find reliable informaton about screening
• Be able to advise patients about the timing of screening tests
• Feel confident to handle positive or missing screening results:
• To participate go to the Visit the BMJ website

Genetic risk assessment and counselling module

The screening programme has long recognised the importance of facilitating appropriate level of understanding, knowledge and skills among professionals involved in the screening programme. This is particularly important for those people counselling at risk couples. The acceptable (minimum) programme standard states that 80% of at risk couples are to be counselled by PEGASUS or equivalent accredited trained personnel for at risk couple counselling.

PEGASUS was developed by Prof Kai and colleagues, and funded by the screening programme. Over 9 years, 11 PEGASUS courses have been run with over 400 people attending the course. This has allowed the NHS in England to have counselling expertise in all trusts and to ensure that unbiased non-directive counselling is given to pregnant women who are at risk of having a pregnancy affected by sickle cell or thalassaemia.

The screening programme, however, is no longer able to fund the PEGASUS course. To ensure that a high quality course is available we have worked with Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery, King's College London  to develop a course based on the PEGASUS course. This course will be run by King’s College London and as it is in a mainstream university will be more sustainable than if it was run by the screening programme. 

The new course is called “Genetic risk assessment and counselling”  module and is worth 30 credits at level 6 and 7. The first module will be taught on 10 and 11 May and 21 and 22 June 2012.

Please see how to obtain application form and then email to the address below:

Post-Qualification Administrator - Cicero Souza
Telephone: 020 7848 3669
cicero.souza@kcl.ac.uk

To access the application form and find detailed instructions on how to complete it click here.

The cost of the module is £1780.

In addition a study day in Haemoglobinpathies: A short counselling course is also being offered. This was run on 18 November 2011 and will be repeated 27 April 2012. Details can be found at here. The cost of the study day is £165.