Menopause Care Special Skills Module (SSM)

Applications for the Menopause Care SSM closed in August 2022. Menopause Care SSM candidates accepted prior to this can continue their training.

If you have any specific queries regarding the closure of the Menopause Care SSM, please check visit our Support Portal and FAQs.

If you are interested in menopause care training, please check out our Menopause Care Professional Certificate (MCPC). If you would like an introductory course on menopause care, please see our Essentials of Menopause Care course.

Please note that we are still accepting applications for those wanting to become Menopause Care Principal Trainers. Please visit our Menopause Care Principal Trainer webpage for information.

Our Special Skills Modules (SSMs) involve theoretical and practical training that enables healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom to deliver specialist care in an area of sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH).

The practical elements of SSM training are supervised by a Principal Trainer at a training centre, and are captured within a logbook that is submitted to us for review.

By completing the Menopause Care SSM, you will demonstrate your ability to deliver high-quality specialist care in this area, and will be awarded a Faculty Certificate.

You can apply for either a Basic or Advanced Certificate.

The Basic Certificate demonstrates the necessary skills to provide basic menopause care. You will understand your role in the specialty and, where necessary, the appropriate point at which to refer to other specialists. You will also understand the wider aspects of care for women, and participate in the development of services in the local area.

Those who complete the Advanced Certificate will have expertise in managing more complex cases and could receive external referrals. It is not necessary to complete the Basic Certificate first.

Who can apply?

The Menopause Care SSM was for healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom who work regularly in the field of menopause care. It was only available to doctors and nurses fully registered with the GMC or NMC.

The essential entry requirements were:

Fully registered with the GMC or NMC
Working in SRH, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, primary care or any other speciality related to women’s health care
Demonstrable consultation skills and the ability to take a full medical history, including a sexual health history
Membership of a menopause society (e.g. BMS, EMAS or IMS)
For the advanced certificate, nurse trainees must be nurse independent prescribers

The desirable entry requirements were:

Holding a relevant post-registration qualification in contraception or sexual health (e.g. DFSRH)

If you have little experience of menopause care, you may wish to consider attending a foundation course prior to applying for this SSM.

How do I apply?

We are no longer accepting applications for the Menopause Care SSM.

If you are interested in menopause care training that would enable you to provide high quality care, please check out our Menopause Care Professional Certificate (MCPC). If you would like an introductory course on menopause care, please see our Essentials of Menopause Care course.

What does the training involve?

The SSM includes theoretical and practical assessments. These are met by the completion of an FSRH-recognised menopause theory course, and by the submission of an SSM logbook that captures the practical training elements that are supervised by a Principal Trainer.

The practical training should be completed within three years of attending the theory course.

Please see the Theory Course and Logbook tabs below for more information.

Theory Course

Attendance at an FSRH-recognised menopause theory course is mandatory for the completion of the Menopause Care SSM. The practical training must be completed within three years of attendance at a theory course.

Menopause theory courses that are currently FSRH-recognised include:

You can see upcoming theory courses on our events page. Search the events section by selecting ‘External Conferences and Educational Meetings’ from the dropdown menu.

If there is no suitable course on our events page, please be aware that courses are planned throughout the year and advertised on our events page once they have been organised. You can also search for courses on the BMS and RCOG websites.

Logbook

The logbook outlines all the practical training elements that you will need to complete. You will receive an electronic version of the logbook when you are accepted on to the SSM. At the end of the logbook is a Certificate Checklist that lists each of the items that you need to submit to complete the SSM.

The practical training involves the assessment and management of clinical problems pertaining to menopause, and must be completed within three years of attending a recognised theory course.

You can either print out the logbook and scan in each page when it is ready for submission, or you can complete the pages of the logbook electronically and scan in the pages of evidence to support your logbook submission.

Once completed, the logbook will need to be emailed as an attachment to our Member Support Team at support@fsrh.org.

Please note that due to GDPR and security concerns regarding patient data, identifying information etc, we do not accept postal submissions. If you have any questions about your submission, contact our Member Support Team.

Principal Trainers

Please note that we are still accepting applications for those wanting to become Menopause Care Principal Trainers and provide training for our MCPC. Please visit the Menopause Care Principal Trainer webpage for how to become a Menopause Care Principal Trainer.