Clinical Standards

The modernised Service Standards on Obtaining Valid Consent in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services include essential updates for healthcare professionals working for and commissioning SRH services. Updates focus on explaining risk to patients, advice and consent for multimedia and education purposes. They also reference a timely potential change in relationship with the European Court of Human Rights at the time of Brexit. Download the full standards here.

Risk Management is an approach to improving the quality and safety of health care by identifying circumstances that put patients and staff at risk and acting to prevent or control those risks. The overall aim of any risk management strategy is to make the effective management of risk part of everyday practice. This can only be achieved if there is a comprehensive and cohesive framework in place, underpinned by clear accountability arrangements across the organisation.

FSRH Service Standards for Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare

A quality contraceptive service is vital in giving women and men of all ages choice and control over their reproduction, and is key to avoiding unplanned pregnancies and planning families. Contraception is a highly cost-effective intervention, which plays an important public health role in improving the lives of individuals, families and communities.

These Standards are recommended for organisations providing contraceptive/sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including pregnancy planning, pregnancy choices, abortion, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as sexual wellbeing and health promotion.

It has always been a professional responsibility to provide the highest standard of care within the community. However, recently, doctors within the United Kingdom are expected to be able to demonstrate their fitness to practice within clinical governance and revalidation. In line with other professional groups and particularly in line with the Colleges and Faculties with whom we work - the RCOG, the RCGP and the Faculty of Public Health Medicine - it is important for us to demonstrate the elements of maintaining good medical practice within our specialist areas.