Today FSRH publishes its updated Service Standards for Medicines Management in Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services

The new version brings an update to Standard Statement 4 on prescription pads and Standard Statement 6 concerning the reference to the NICE Competency Framework both for individuals using PGDs and those developing them. The Standards aim to ensure patients receive the maximum benefit from the medicines they need, while at the same time minimizing potential harm.

The updated Service Standards for Medicines Management in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services relate to best practice guidance for medicines and devices used within these clinical settings and within research trials relating to the field of SRH.

In this updated version produced by FSRH’s Clinical Standards Committee (CSC), practical guidance is given on how to maintain safety, cost-effectiveness and security in relation to medicines management and includes standards on remote and online prescribing.

In addition, the Standards focus on specifying measures to maintain safety and security according to national and local policy and reference the NICE Competency Framework for individuals using Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and those developing them.

Dr Helen Munro, Chair of FSRH’s Clinical Standards Committee, said:

“The safe and appropriate management of the processes and systems for providing medicines to patients within SRH is essential and underpins an effective, safe, health service. The Standards reflect the process from prescribing through to dispensing, storage, administration and disposal of medicines, and can be applied in all SRH settings.

Included are standards relating to remote and online prescribing. The Clinical Standards Committee of FSRH has developed the Standards as a support tool for all those working and commissioning Sexual and Reproductive Health services, and I hope colleagues will find them useful in their day to day practice”.

You can access these service standards here. To mark the launch, read blog by former CSC member Dr Lynne Gilbert, who gives us an overview of her time within the Committee and in Sexual and Reproductive healthcare. Highlighted is just how Lynne has found Clinical Standards to have an impact both personally and on a service level.