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Letter of Competence Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Techniques Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO)

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Our Letter of Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Techniques, Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO) provides you with the necessary knowledge, attitude and skills to support women seeking contraception. It will enable you to provide Subdermal contraception competently, and manage any complications and side-effects that may occur. 

Who can apply?

This training programme is open to healthcare professionals working in abortion or maternity services only. 

 

Ready to take the next step on gaining your LoC IUT qualification?

The first step is to find a Faculty Registered Trainer to help support your learning. Use our interactive map to connect with a trainer near you.

Trainer map

For more information on our LoC IUT, browse the tabs below.

LoC SDI-IO Information

Below we share some information on entry requirements and the next steps to achieving your qualification. 

We recommend that you start by reading the training requirements for the LoC SDI-IO.

Step 1: Check the entry requirements

Entry requirements for the LoC SDI-IO

In order to apply for the FSRH LoC SDI-IO, you will need to meet the following entry requirements. 

Successful applicants must: 

  • Be a healthcare professional working in abortion or maternity services. This includes doctors, nurses and midwives working in the UK or Ireland and are registered and licenced to practice (as necessary) with either the GMC, NMC, IMC, NMBI.
  • Complete the FSRH Contraception Counselling Free Online Course. Register and access the course here. The certificate of completion must be reviewed by the Primary Trainer and evidence will be required.
  • Complete e-SRH Modules 3 (Contraceptive Choices) & 14 (Additional Training in Sub-dermal Contraceptive Implants). View the curriculum here. Certificates of completion must be reviewed by the Primary Trainer and evidence will be required.
  • Competent in consultation skills. Trainee to self-certify competence on application form.
  • Up-to-date with resuscitation and anaphylaxis, in accordance with local policy. Up-to-date certificates must be reviewed by Primary Trainer.
  • Competent to give intramuscular injections. Trainee to self-certify competence on application form.
  • To have read the current FSRH CEU guidance on SDIs and be conversant with its content and abide by them.

Additional learning

Essential Contraception for Midwives and Essential Contraception for Abortion Care Providers are evidence based courses, designed by FSRH to provide baseline contraceptive knowledge. Attendance at one of these courses is not an entry requirement for the LoC SDI-IO but is strongly recommended.

Nursing Associates:

If you are registered as a nursing associate with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) please be mindful you are not currently eligible to take the FSRH Diploma or LoCs. 

The ability to undertake a comprehensive patient assessment independently is a fundamental requirement for holders of the DFSRH or LoC which differs from the requirement “to contribute to ongoing assessment” specified in the NMC Standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018). For this reason, the FSRH Diploma and LoCs qualifications are not currently accessible if you are a registered Nursing Associate. 

Candidates from Republic of Ireland doing FSRH qualifications in the UK

Healthcare professionals from the UK or the Republic of Ireland who wish to undertake any FSRH training that does not involve direct contact/treatment of patients in a UK health facility, will be required to be registered/ licenced and in good standing with the relevant UK or Irish regulatory body. For example, doctors wishing to undertake the DFSRH with remote assessments will need to be registered with the General Medical Council or the Irish Medical Council. Please ensure this is considered when joining a training programme.

Healthcare professionals from the UK or the Republic of Ireland who wish to undertake any FSRH training that involves direct contact/treatment of patients in a UK health facility, will be required to be registered/licenced and in good standing with the relevant UK regulatory body. For example, doctors from the UK or the Republic of Ireland wishing to undertake the FSRH Letters of Competence will need to be registered with the General Medical Council. Please ensure this is considered when joining a training programme.

The FSRH currently recognises the following regulatory bodies:  

  • The General Medical Council (UK)
  • Irish Medical Council
  • The Nursing & Midwifery Council (UK)
  • Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland
  • General Pharmaceutical Council (UK)
  • The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
  • Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (UK)
  • Health and Care Professions Council (UK)

Step 2: Find your trainer

Find a FSRH Registered Trainer

The first step to gaining your LoC qualification is to find a FSRH Registered Trainer to help support your learning. Your trainer will be your primary contact throughout your training, and is responsible for confirming that you meet the entry requirements and have successfully completed all assessments.

Each FSRH Registered Trainer works within a General Training Programme. Use our Find a Training Programme map to find a General Training Programme near you, or where you wish to train. Please use the contact details listed on the General Training Programme to find out if they are able to undertake the training and assessment with you. 

Step 3: Begin your learning journey

Complete Modules 3 and 14 of the e-SRH

You must complete Modules 3 and 14 of the e-SRH, which is hosted on the e-LfH website. This is an e-learning package, free to NHS professionals, which contains interactive learning modules on various topics. Each module lasts around 20 minutes.

For access you will need to register with e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH).

Click the view button at top right hand corner of e-Learning for Healthcare website to see a list of all modules. You will need to login first in order to be able to see contents of the modules.

This e-SRH is free to anyone holding an nhs.net email address. If you have previously registered on e-LfH site and have forgotten your details you can request a reset, or if you are having issues logging in, you can contact e-LfH. 

Download LoC SDI-IO Application Form and Logbook

During your training, you must document all your practical training and obtain the signature of your trainer when you competently complete each stage.

The logbook will be completed during training but does not need to be sent to the FSRH. It should be retained until three months after the LoC SDI-IO has been awarded by the FSRH.

Please ensure all parts of your application form are completed in full. If any part of your application is not complete or it does not meet the required standard, your application is likely to be delayed. 

Download your logbook

Download your application form

Step 4: Apply for your certificate

Submit your LoC SDI-IO application

Before submitting your application form, please contact us so that we can remove the OTA requirement from your profile. The OTA requirement must be removed first for you to be able to complete your application and pay online. 

Once you and your Primary Trainer have completed all sections of your application form, you may submit this form along with the supporting documents and LoC registration fee for a certificate award. 

To submit your application, please log in to your MyFSRH account, and click the button below. 

Submit your LoC SDI-IO application

You can also search for the application on our FSRH Training Hub - just search for ‘Letter of Competence in Subdermal Implant Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO Application)’ under the 'Browse courses' section.   

On the application page, you’ll be also able to complete an online evaluation of your training experience. Your feedback will be shared with the FSRH’s General Training Committee to help us improve our programmes.

From submitting your application, it can take up to 7 working days to review your submission. At this time, we may contact you requesting additional information to support your application. If you meet all the required criteria we will award your LoC within 14 working days.

Please note failure to provide all required evidence, payment or correct information may delay or prevent the processing of your application.

Fees

Option 1: Associate Membership

Member rate per LoC application: £213 (Associate annual membership £103 + LoC registration £110) - for LoC applications between 1 Jan – 30 Jun
Member rate per LoC application: £162 (Associate annual membership £52 + LoC registration £110) - for LoC applications between 1 Jul – 31 Dec

Option 2: Non-member rate

The non-member rate per LoC application is £450, this fee will cover you for next 5 years.

Associated Fees and Costs for the Letter of Competence

Join us as a member to benefit from a reduced LoC application fee and free of charge recertification every 5 years

You can apply to become an Associate member when completing your LoC training application online as part of the final step. This will allow you to qualify for the reduced member rate of £110 for each LoC application fee as well as giving you full access to all our membership benefits. 

The subsequent full annual Associate membership fee is due on 1 January 2023 and then the following years of your membership.

As an Associate member your recertification of your qualification is free of charge every 5 years, if you have retained and paid for your annual Associate membership each year. Recertification enables you to demonstrate you have retained the skills and knowledge required for your qualification. This evidence can be used in appraisals and for revalidation.

Clinical Training (Costs are set locally)

Between £300-£400 depending on location and provider

Letter of Competence Registration fee - Current FSRH Members (Associate, Members, Fellows and current holds of the FSRH Diploma)

OR

Non-FSRH members

£110-Payable to FSRH

 

£450-Payable to FSRH

Total (approximate)

FSRH Members

OR

Non-FSRH Members

 

£465(approximate - depending on clinical training costs)

 

£805 approximately

Is your trust/employer paying by invoice?

If your trust/employer is making payment by invoice, we will need the following information in order to raise a purchase order:

  • invoice address (accounts payable),
  • a purchase order number (only if your trust requires one),
  • and a finance/accounts payable email address. 

Please note, your trust can opt to pay for several individuals in a bulk payment if required. 

Please share this information with our Finance Manager, at finance@fsrh.org to raise the invoice. 

Membership

Completion of our Letter of Competence qualification can result in Associate membership of FSRH and includes the following membership benefits:

  • Free five-yearly recertification of your qualification
  • Access to our FSRH Training Hub which is regularly updated with the latest SRH resources and content to help and support your SRH practice
  • Access to our quarterly peer-reviewed BMJ SRH Journal
  • Free SRH webinars and recordings to watch on-demand based on our latest clinical guidance
  • Discounts to FSRH conferences and events
  • Access to our Members' Evidence Request where you can search our database for the latest advice, guidance and information on case-specific topics

See Associate membership benefits in full here.

Your membership subscription is payable annually and your membership runs from 1 January to 31 December each year.

Recertification

If you hold our Letter of Competence qualification, we require you to recertify every five years. 

Recertification helps you to: 

  • demonstrate the learning outcomes achieved from your qualification(s) have been maintained 
  • show you have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviour needed to provide safe and effective sexual and reproductive health care (SRH) 
  • meet the requirements of commissioners, who often require clinicians to have certified qualifications 

Recertification is one of our member benefits and free to current FSRH members. 

Find out how to recertify your Letter of Competence here.