GovWire

This guide sets out education and training resources available to healthcare professionals working in the sickle cell and thalassaemia (SCT) screening programme.

elearning

Most elearning developed by the NHS screening programmes is available on the elearning for healthcare (elfh) website.

elearning for GPs

Complete the British Medical Journal antenatal and newborn screening module to learn about:

• the principles of screening and how they are applied in practice
• what screening programmes are available
• how to advise patients about the timing of screening tests

Haemoglobinopathies update study days

Genetic risk assessment and counselling module

KCL Genetic Risk Assessment and Counselling Module: 4 and 5 May, 8 and 9 June 2023

The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme, in partnership with Kings College London, is pleased to announce the return of the Genetic Risk Assessment and Counselling Module this summer.

Kings College London offer this module for professionals who provide counselling and prenatal diagnosis (PND) to women and couples at-risk of having a child with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia.

The module is worth 30 credits at masters degree level and is designed to give an in-depth knowledge of haemoglobin disorders and the practical applications of genetics in health care, including:

• genetic testing
• prevention of genetic disorders
• prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling

The module will be taught over 4 days: 4 and 5 May, 8 and 9 June 2023. Teaching will be face to face, at Kings College London.

Funding

You may be able to apply to your Trust for funding. Its worth applying as soon as possible to find out if this is the case.

A small number of bursaries may also be available from the programme.If you would like to apply for funding from the screening programme, please send a short Expression of Interest to j.willson-pepper1@nhs.net by Monday 16th January 2023.

Please note that, due to demand and the small number of bursaries, funding is awarded on the basis of training need Trust to Trust.

To be eligible for screening programme funding, applicants should:

• offer counselling and prenatal diagnosis (PND) to women and couples at-risk of having a child with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia;
• have Trust support to attend
• be able to attend all four days
• apply to Kings College London separately for a place on the course (distinct from a bursary)

You can apply for a place via the Kings College London short courses catalogue. The application page for this course will be open from mid-January to March 2023. If you are interested, please save it in your favourites and check it out nearer the time!

For any other queries please contact the screening helpdesk.

Laboratory workshop days

These one day workshops are for bench level staff and haematology laboratory managers. They include:

• a programme and laboratory update
• quality assurance update
• a clinical talk
• interactive case studies
• an open forum

There is no cost for this training day. For further details please contact the screening helpdesk.

Counselling

The sickle cell and thalassaemia counselling knowledge and skills guidance describes the knowledge and skills required by health professionals who provide counselling for families at risk of sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies identified by SCT screening.

It includes:

• knowledge and skills guide detailing the counselling skills and learning outcomes required across 8 core competences
• an assessment record learners can print out or complete online

Education and training: all programmes

Read and download education and training resources for all screening programmes. This includes:

• midwife resource cards
• the screening timeline
• events

HealthKnowledge: screening overview

The interactive learning on screening available from HealthKnowledge is helpful for new and non-clinical staff or those returning after a long period of absence.