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Guidance: Sickle cell and thalassaemia screening: education and training

Nhs England

September 26
11:51 2022

This guide sets out education and training resources available to healthcare professionals working in the sickle cell and thalassaemia (SCT) screening programme.

elearning

Most elearning developed by the NHS screening programmes is available on the elearning for healthcare (elfh) website.

elearning for GPs

Complete the British Medical Journal antenatal and newborn screening module to learn about:

  • the principles of screening and how they are applied in practice
  • what screening programmes are available
  • how to advise patients about the timing of screening tests

Haemoglobinopathies update study days

For information about forthcoming haemoglobinopathies update study days please contact jessamy.wilson-pepper@phe.gov.uk.

Genetic risk assessment and counselling module

This 4-day course is for NHS staff who provide counselling to at risk couples as identified by the NHS SCT screening programme. The course covers:

  • haemoglobin disorders
  • practical applications of genetics in health care
  • genetic testing
  • prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling

Read more about the course on the Kings College London website (search for genetic risk assessment and counselling).

The next module will be in 2023 dates to be confirmed.

For any other queries please contact the screening helpdesk.

Laboratory workshop days

These one day workshops are for bench level staff and haematology laboratory managers. They include:

  • a programme and laboratory update
  • quality assurance update
  • a clinical talk
  • interactive case studies
  • an open forum

There is no cost for this training day. For further details please contact the screening helpdesk.

Counselling

The sickle cell and thalassaemia counselling knowledge and skills guidance describes the knowledge and skills required by health professionals who provide counselling for families at risk of sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies identified by SCT screening.

It includes:

  • knowledge and skills guide detailing the counselling skills and learning outcomes required across 8 core competences
  • an assessment record learners can print out or complete online

Education and training: all programmes

Read and download education and training resources for all screening programmes. This includes:

  • midwife resource cards
  • the screening timeline
  • events

HealthKnowledge: screening overview

The interactive learning on screening available from HealthKnowledge is helpful for new and non-clinical staff or those returning after a long period of absence.

Published 8 December 2017
Last updated 26 September 2022 +show all updates
  1. Contact information added for enquiries about future dates for haemoglobinopathies screening programme update and specialist counsellors update training.

  2. Updating genetic risk assessment and counselling module information to clarify that bursaries are no longer available for 2022 course.

  3. Addition of new dates for training courses in 2022.

  4. Updated information on the programme update day and the genetic risk assessment and counselling module.

  5. Changed 'Haemoglobinopathies: specialist counsellors update' course date from 27 April to 29 April 2021.

  6. Added new 2021 dates for the haemoglobinopathies: specialist counsellors update course.

  7. Replaced link to old information on counselling competences with link to new counselling knowledge and skills guidance.

  8. Added details of October 2019 training days.

  9. Added details of upcoming 'Haemoglobinopathies: specialist counsellors update' course.

  10. Next study day details added for non specialist nurses, midwives and health visitors.

  11. Added latest information on training and continuing professional development (CPD) events.

  12. Updated and corrected informatio

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