“This International Women’s Day, the world’s women have much to celebrate: maternal mortality rates are declining after years of stagnation; the importance of maternal health is receiving unprecedented attention; and one solution in our efforts to save women’s lives during childbirth, misoprostol, is gaining significant traction globally. But we have further to go for the world’s women.” IWD website has links to a number of events happening around the globe and asks supporters to publish and share their initiatives
fpa and Brook join forces with Durex
Two of the country’s leading sexual health charities and the biggest condom brand in the UK have announced a major collaboration with a three year programme to deliver a number of sexual health initiatives; information events, public awareness campaigns and learning materials.
Media Reaction to Abortion – gender selection and legal issues
in the ongoing debate around gender-selection abortion an Open letter of support for doctors who provide abortion services was published by Reproductive Health Matters, the international journal for sexual and reproductive health and rights, signed by members of Voice for Choice, leaders in womens’ health and abortion care. The letter clarifies many of the misinterpretations of legal issues that have been voiced in much of the ‘popular’ press.
Sexual Health Trainers – new PGA Med Ed (SRH)
The FSRH website has details of the planned changes to ‘training the trainers’. The current letter of competence (Loc MEd) will be replaced by the new Post Graduate Award in Medical Education (Sexual and Reproductive Health). In collaboration with Keele University the course is aimed at doctors working in CASH, GP’s, those in GUM and nurses who wish to gain a recognised teachers qualification in sexual health. This PGA will, for doctors, be accepted as appropriate for Primary Trainers for DFSRH purposes.
The GMC Education Update (Feb 2012) includes notification of a consultation on the recognition and approval of trainers.
New Clinical Guidance – Management of Vaginal Discharge in Non-Genitourinary Medicine Settings
The FSRH Clinical Effectiveness Unit (CEU) have published their latest clinical guidance document which updates previous guidance from 2006. Changes include: new tests for gonorrhoea and chlamydia; changes to treatments available for vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) & bacterial vaginosis (BV); and new advice on combined hormonal contraception (CHC) and antibiotics.
BPAS website hacked
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service website has been the subject of attempted hacking. A 27 yr old man has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Computer Misuse Act. In a statement issued today BPAS say that:
“Around 26,000 attempts to break into our website were made over a six hour period, but the hacker was unable to access any medical or personal information relating to women who had received treatment at bpas.”