| Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare | |
| Image Alt: | Logo of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare |
| Motto: | We believe that access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is a fundamental right. |
| Established: | 1993 |
| President: | Dr Janet Barter |
| Vice-President: | Dr Cindy Farmer, Dr Charlotte Porter, Dr Manisha Singh, Dr Zara Haider, Dr Maryam Nasri |
| City: | London |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Former Names: | Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care |
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) is the leader in the field of sexual and reproductive healthcare, and it is the voice for professionals working in this area. As a multi-disciplinary professional membership organisation, it sets clinical guidance and standards, provides training and lifelong education, and champions safe and effective sexual and reproductive healthcare across the life course for all. It represents over 14,000 healthcare professionals.[1] The organisation believes that access to SRH is a fundamental right. They work together with members and partners to shape better sexual and reproductive healthcare for all.
Their vision is of high-quality sexual and reproductive health at every stage of our lives.
In 2024, the president is Dr Janet Barter;[2] she succeeded Dr Asha Kasliwal in the post.
The National Association of Family Planning Doctors was established in the early 1970s, when approximately 1000 family planning clinics were handed over to the National Health Service (NHS) to be managed by the Local Area Health Authority Public Health departments. This left no medical body to represent doctors working in this field that could facilitate sharing of good practice and the development of standards, guidelines and training.
In 1972, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) established the Joint Committee on Contraception (JCC) in partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), which took over the FPA's training role. In 1974, the National Association of Family Planning Doctors (NAFPD) was formed to represent doctors working in the field and disseminate good practice.
The first president of NAFPD was Professor Sir Stanley Clayton who was also President of the RCOG, which cemented the connection between what is now the Faculty and the RCOG. NAFPD published the first issue of what is now the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care C the following year in 1975. On 26 March 1993, the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare was set up as part of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and in 1997 the Clicinal Effectiveness Committee was established. The name of the Faculty changed to the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FRSH) in 2007.[3]
The Faculty's works to advance medical knowledge and training in sexual and reproductive health care, as well as promoting high standards of professional practice in the area [4] encourage improvements in quality and provide a voice for professionals involved in SRH. These underpin the main purpose of the organisation, to ensure that patients are safely and properly cared for.
FSRH Membership is open to healthcare professionals who have passed their qualifications and maintain appropriate continuous professional development (CPD). It offers a range of membership options based on qualifications, professional interests, and career stages. The types of membership available are:
Members benefit from ongoing educational opportunities, access to the latest SRH resources, and the chance to network with other professionals in the field of sexual and reproductive healthcare.[5]
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) awards Membership of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (MFSRH) by examination. This qualification is recognised in the field of sexual and reproductive healthcare and is held by clinicians who provide expert care across community, primary, and acute healthcare settings. The MFSRH qualification is a mark of expertise and professional development in sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH).
Examination Components
The MFSRH has two parts, each designed to assess a candidate's knowledge, skills, and clinical competence:
The syllabus for the MFSRH examination is based on the Community Sexual and Reproductive Health (CSRH) Curriculum Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), ensuring that candidates are tested on relevant and up-to-date knowledge and competencies necessary for their professional practice.
Both the Part I and Part II examinations are conducted online via secure online testing platforms, allowing candidates flexibility in exam scheduling and location.
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) offers a variety of qualifications [6] aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals in sexual and reproductive health. These qualifications cater to different areas of expertise, ensuring that practitioners meet high standards of care.
Letters of Competence (LoC) are awarded to professionals trained in specific contraceptive techniques. This includes:
The FSRH Diploma (DFSRH) is a core qualification, designed for healthcare professionals delivering basic sexual and reproductive health services. This qualification equips practitioners to provide high-quality contraception and SRH care.
The Online Theory Assessment (OTA) forms part of the qualification pathway and tests the theoretical knowledge required for certain certifications.
For those specialising in menopause care, the FSRH offers:
The FSRH also provides Special Skills Modules (SSM) in specific areas of sexual and reproductive health, including:
These training programmes ensure that healthcare professionals are well-prepared to offer expert sexual and reproductive healthcare across various settings.
FSRH works with Wellbeing of Women to fund a one-year research scholarship.[7]
The faculty publishes a journal, the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, which was established in 1974. The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care was relaunched in 2018 as BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health.[8]