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

The LoC SDI-IO is open to those healthcare professionals working in abortion or maternity services only.

We are delighted to relaunch the LoC SDI-IO qualification. Following a successful pilot during 2019, we have revamped the requirements of this qualification. We are very grateful to the number of healthcare professionals involved in the pilot.

This qualification is open to 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, or NMBI. The FSRH retains the right to amend this list.

Our training programme has been designed to provide you with the evidence based knowledge, attitude and skills required to consult with a woman requesting contraception, and to appropriately provide a subdermal implant, manage complications and side effects.

This qualification involves both theoretical knowledge and practical training. We recommend that you start by reading the training requirements for the Letter of Competence in Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Techniques Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO).

What/How do I study?

You must ensure you fulfil all the requirements for the Letter of Competence in Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Techniques Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO) to allow a successful application.

The entry requirements for the Letter of Competence in Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Techniques Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO)

Successful applicants must:

Be a Healthcare Professional working in abortion or maternity services. This includes doctors, nurses and midwives working in the UK or S Ireland and are registered and licenced to practice (as necessary) with either the GMC, NMC, IMC, NMBI.
Must have completed the FSRH Contraception Counselling online learning: Register and access the course here: FSRH Contraception Counselling Free Online Course (the certificate of completion must be reviewed by the Primary Trainer). Evidence will be required.
Must have completed the e-SRH Modules 3 (Contraceptive Choices) & 14 (Additional Training in Sub-dermal Contraceptive Implants) online learning: Register and access the online learning here: e-Learning for Healthcare (certificates of completion must be reviewed by the Primary Trainer). Evidence will be required.
Must be 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.

Useful 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.

Find a Training Programme to undertake Practical Training - Insertions

Your practical training must be completed through a Faculty-recognised General Training Programme. You can find a list of these on our Find a Training Programme map which you can access before you apply. You can select your chosen qualification/s and search by postcode, or town / city name, up to a radius of 250 miles.

Watch our video which explains how to use our Find a Training Programme map.

Please click here to register first to access a list of FSRH training programmes (if you do not already have a 'My FSRH' website account). Registration on this website is free.

If you already have a log in for 'My FSRH', please click on login and then navigate to 'Take a qualification/recertify' behind log in and select 'Find a Training Programme to Undertake Practical Training'.

Complete Modules 3 and 14 of the e-SRH

Everybody 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 view button at top right hand corner of e-Learning for Healthcare website to see a list of all modules and 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 Record of Training Form

Download and complete in full the Record of Training form ahead of submitting all your supporting evidence and you payment to complete your award.

Download the LoC SDI-IO form here.

Submit your record of training for LoC SDI-IO

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

To do this, log into ‘My FSRH’ and scroll down to the ‘FSRH Training Hub’ tile and click ‘Browse Courses’.

Select ‘Letter of Competence in Subdermal Implant Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO Application)’ and click ‘Go to Course’.

On this page, you’ll be able to

Download a LoC SDI-IO Training Record Form
Complete the online evaluation of your training experience. Your feedback will be shared with the FSRH’s General Training Committee to help us improve our programmes.
Click orange button ‘Submit your training record and pay fee here’ to submit your documents and pay the fee.

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.

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)

Please note, updated versions of eSRH sessions have launched. Read our news story to find out more.

Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights for any FSRH qualification including documents, materials and content belonging to and produced by the FSRH should not be used for purposes other than FSRH training. Should you wish to use any of the IPR for purposes other than FSRH training you must seek the FSRH’s approval in writing with your request via our copyright request form. We aim to respond to submissions of this nature within one working week.

How to Apply

Before submission of your documents using the application form on our website, please send an email via the Contact us page so that we can remove the eKA/OTA requirement from your profile. The eKA/OTA requirement must be removed first in order for you to be able to complete your application and pay online.

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

To do this, log into 'My FSRH' or register if you do not already have a 'My FSRH website account. Once you have logged into 'My FSRH', scroll down to the 'FSRH Training Hub' tile and click 'Browse Courses'.

Then select ‘Letter of Competence in Subdermal Implant Insertion Only (LoC SDI-IO Application)’ and click ‘Go to Course’.

On this page, you’ll be able to

Download a LoC SDI-IO Training Record Form
Complete the online evaluation of your training experience. Your feedback will be shared with the FSRH’s General Training Committee to help us improve our programmes.
Click orange button ‘Submit your training record and pay fee here’ to submit your documents and pay the fee.

Once you have submitted the required documentation and paid the fee, a member of our team will review your application. We will contact you by email within 10 working days from this submission.

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). (nmc.org.uk).
For this reason, the FSRH Diploma and LoCs qualifications are not currently accessible if you are a registered Nursing Associate.

Not sure how to register on our website? Watch our video for some help.

(You'll need sound or earphones on your device)

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)

Non-FSRH members

£110-Payable to FSRH

£450-Payable to FSRH

Total (approximate)

FSRH Members

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.

Associate Membership

Completion of our Letter of Competence qualification can result in Associate Membership of FSRH and includes the following Membership benefits. Your membership subscription is payable annually and your membership runs from 1 January to 31 December each year.

Access to 'My FSRH' a personalised area on our website which includes resources and personal details
Full online access to BMJ SRH - our quarterly peer-reviewed journal
Free webinars
Regular e-bulletins with access to previous editions
Discounts to FSRH conferences
Access to our Members' Evidence Request
Free five-yearly recertification of your qualification

Recertification

As a member you can recertify free of charge, as this is a benefit included in your annual membership fee. However, you must have paid your membership fee continuously for the five years leading up to recertifying.

How do I apply for my LoC SDI Recertification?

You can apply for recertification by filling in the online form.

Before filling in the online form, please have all the relevant information to hand before starting it, you will not be able to save it and then revisit it later, it must be completed in one sitting. You will also need a stable internet connection while completing the online forms.

Complete the online form for Recertification of the Letter of Competence in Subdermal Contraceptive Implant Techniques (LoC SDI)

Please make sure to apply for recertification not more than six months before your recertification date and no later than six weeks afterwards.

To apply successfully for recertification, you need to demonstrate:

at least two credits of relevant CPD over the past five years
completion of the relevant e-SRH module (for NHS professionals) or Faculty-approved distance learning (for non-NHS professionals)
proof of basic life support and anaphylaxis training
a log of IUT insertions
a log of SDI insertions and/or removals

You can find more information on each of these requirements below. You can also find a calendar of CPD courses, meetings and events on this website.

How do I meet the CPD Requirements for my Letter of Competence recertification?

To apply successfully for recertification, you need to be able to demonstrate:

1. At least two credits of relevant CPD over the past five years from one of the following

Attendance at courses/meetings relevant to SDI
Evidence: certificate of attendance, programme of meeting and brief reflection on how this will influence your future practice

Reading of appropriate current peer reviewed publications e.g. JFPRHC, BMJ
Evidence: reference of article, and brief reflection on how this will influence your future practice: 1 CPD credit per article

Reading of FSRH CEU guidelines on intrauterine methods and completion of self-assessment questions
Reading of CEU guidance: 1 CPD credit
Completion of self-assessment questions: 1 CPD credit. This CPD activity may not be counted towards CPD if used to fulfil section ‘Option 2 (b)’ on the below form.
Evidence of reading: date read and brief reflection on how this will influence your future practice.
Evidence of questions: mark sheet, date completed and brief reflection on how this will influence your future practice.

Peer observation: 1 CPD credit for observing a peer perform an insertion and giving feedback afterwards, 1 CPD credit for being observed performing an insertion by a peer and discussing feedback afterwards. The observer/person being observed must hold a current LoC IUT.
Evidence: date and name of observer/person being observed and brief outline of what you learned from this, either as an observer or from being observed)

Audit of IUT – personal or local
Evidence: date, summary of audit, brief description of your role in audit: 1 CPD credit

2. Proof of basic life support and anaphylaxis training

3. A log of IUT insertions (for LoC IUT Recertifications)

4. A log of SDI insertions (for LoC SDI-IO Recertifications), or insertions AND removals (for LoC SDI-IR Recertifications)

What evidence of CPD do I need to submit?

You do not always need evidence of CPD activity when you are applying for recertification. However, the General Training Committee audits 10% of all applications and reserves the right to ask for supporting documentation for all your activity.

What other requirements and resources are there for my ongoing CPD?

If you are an NHS professional, you must also complete e-SRH module 14 (for LoC IUT) or e-SRH module 15 (for LoC SDI) during the two years before your recertification date.

To access the e-SRH learning modules, please register with e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH).

If you are not an NHS professional, you may instead complete Faculty-approved distance learning e.g. the latest CEU IUT / CEU SDI guidance and self-assessment questions.

You should also be up-to-date with basic life support and anaphylaxis training in accordance with your employer’s policy.

Finally, please submit a log covering a consecutive 12 month period that started no more than 24 months before your recertification date.

For LoC IUT, this log should show 12 insertions, showing at least two different types of IUT method in conscious women.
For LoC SDI Insertion and Removal (LoC SDI-IR), the log should show 6 procedures including at least one insertion and one removal.
For LoC SDI Insertion only (LoC SDI-IO), for individuals who work in an abortion or maternity services, the log will need to show a minimum of 6 insertions.
For LoC SDI Removal only (LoC SDI-RO), for individuals who work in deep implant services, the log will need to show a minimum of 6 removals.

Women's Health Library

Bringing together national guidance, resources produced and accredited by the RCGP, and resources from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), the Women's Health Library is a resource relevant to GPs and other primary healthcare professionals.

The Library is divided into four sections for ease of use with the free resources clearly marked:

Maternal Health
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Pre-Menopause
Peri/Post Menopause

Access the library here.

I'm late for my recertification, what should I do?

If you apply for recertification more than six weeks after your recertification date, you must:

1. Gain the necessary CPD credits and the Basic Life Support and anaphylaxis training outlined above
2. Complete the relevant e-SRH module no more than 12 months before your recertification application date (as opposed to within 24 months of recertification date)
3. Provide a log (described above) covering a consecutive 12 month period within 24 months of your recertification application date (as opposed to recertification date)
4. Stop training or supervising anybody working towards an LoC.

If you are absent for more than a year and wish to apply for an extension on your recertification date, please contact us.

If it is 10 years or more since your qualification was awarded or last recertified, you will need to retake the full training programme for your qualification. For Letters of Competence, this may be via the experienced practitioner route, if appropriate.

I'm a lapsed FSRH member and I want to recertify my qualification, what should I do?

FSRH Council believes that membership of the FSRH – and therefore access to the latest clinical guidance, standards, Journal, CPD questions and regular updates – is an important part of the recertification process.

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

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

If your membership has lapsed and you would like to re-join FSRH, you will be required to pay back your 'missing' years at our current rate to ensure you have continuous membership which is required for recertifying your primary qualification.

You can easily do this by contacting us. We can take payment by phone using a debit or credit card, it will take a few minutes to do this for you.

You can also pay a one-off recertification fee for our Letters of Competence (LoC) qualification. This is £400 per LoC.

If you think you might qualify for a reduced subscription on your back fees, please contact us to find out how to claim.

FAQs

Do you have a question?

Read our Letter of Competence frequently asked questions.