AC7110 - Promoting sexual health in healthcare practice

What will I learn on this module?

On this module you will develop an increased ability to assess and manage patients with a wide range of sexual health requirements across the age spectrum across a variety of health care settings. It is expected that this module will give you the knowledge to assess and manage the patient’s ability and appropriateness to receive preventative health interventions in accordance with local and national policy drivers. Summative assessment will include the achievement of clinical competencies, which have been benchmarked at a national level, a reflective academic assignment and a schedule of short answer and scenario-based questions. This module aims to develop practitioners to undertake preventative and management interventions within contemporary sexual health nursing. The module will facilitate you to identify when patients require referral into specialist sexual health services for the management of complex presentations, sexual violence and/or psychological issues Students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to assess, and respond appropriately to health need, whilst working independently and within legal, ethical and professional guidelines. You will have the opportunity to complete the national cervical screening training during this module if you have not previously completed this core skill.

How will I learn on this module?

On this module we will be using several learning and teaching strategies that are suitable for a variety of learners. Methods of teaching will include interactive lectures, seminars, and group work. Lecturers with specialist experience of primary care and sexual health care delivery will deliver this module. As a health care professional, you will be expected to actively participate in your learning by formalising your goals with a named supervisor from your practice area, undertaking directed and blended eLearning study. Your clinical competencies should be achieved in your own practice area for authenticity but may require a placement within the sexual health services, depending on the support available in your own practice arena. Where you are unable to complete all competencies in your own practice area, the university will endeavour to assist you in finding a suitable learning opportunity to achieve remaining competency outcomes.
You will be expected to participate in class discussion and group work, share your own expertise and develop debate and make recommendations about important practice issues related to sexual health within a contemporary health care service delivery.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported by the module lead who has specialist level sexual health experience to support their lectures. You will meet the lecturer at the scheduled study days and individual tutorials are available to you, in preparation for your academic assessment. Other lecturers with a specialist knowledge of sexual health will deliver dedicated sessions and these will also be available to support your learning. Contact with the module lead is available in person, via telephone, email, and the electronic learning portal. Support for your learning is also offered via a 24-hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus to support your academic work and a Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available in person at Student Central on Coach Lane Campus and online.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1.Critically appraise the health needs of their service users, public health priorities and service provision

2.Critically analyse outcomes from quality performance indicators and identify opportunities for service development



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:



3.Demonstrate clinical competence in meeting diverse sexual health needs, working within local and national governance frameworks

4.Determine interventions for effective holistic care provision, including addressing risk taking behaviours, contextualising the attitudes, values and beliefs which may impact upon the delivery of sexual health care



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):



5.Critically reflect on the ethical, legal, and professional implications that influence the sexual health care agenda

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment will take the form of in-class seminar discussion (MLO 1,2,3,, 5)



Summative assessment on this module will be via the following:



E-Learning scenarios and short answer questions staged throughout the module will assess your level of clinical understanding and practice application. Feedback will be via the eLP assignment submission folders (MLO 3,4,5)



A reflective academic assignment of 2500 words will be required as an end point assessment and your feedback will be provided via ‘my grade centre’ on the eLP. (MLO 1,2,3,4,5)



The achievement of clinical competencies within your own clinical area. Feedback for the competency portfolio will be via the assignment submission folder on your eLP MLO,4)

Pre-requisite(s)

Previous study at L6
To undertake this module you must hold a valid current professional registration” (i.e.: NMC / GMC / HCPC)

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module aims to develop you to undertake preventative interventions and manage physical and psychological sexual health presentations within contemporary health service delivery, preventing disease and long-term health issues due to infection, and physical/psychological sexual trauma. You will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to assess, and respond appropriately to health need, whilst working independently and within legal, ethical, and professional guidelines. This module complies with national benchmarking standards for competencies that meet the learning outcomes, ensuring that you meet national standards and have 40 transferrable academic credits. Academic assessment is via a reflective academic assignment outlining your recommendations for practice based on the current evidence, and a series of short answer and scenario based questions. The achievement of clinical competencies is an essential pass/fail component of your final assessment.

Course info

Credits 40

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Part Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025 or January 2026

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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