Community and Sexual and Reproductive Health

Programme description

GMC Reference: SES/2021

Community Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialty Training Programme (CSRH)

Launched in 2010, the Specialty curriculum in CSRH aims to train a consultant workforce with the necessary clinical and leadership skills for community-based Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services.

The curriculum covers a range of skills and competencies and is designed to provide trainees with exposure to core SRH skills and knowledge whilst experiencing diverse cases and training methods throughout a 6-year (full time equivalent) training period. The CSRH curriculum consists of four Professional Identities (PIs): 

 

Each Professional Identity consist of a number of Capabilities in Practice (CiPs).   These high-level learning outcomes outline what a doctor should be able to do after training completion.  These are designed to encourage a patient-centred approach to treatment which prioritises the needs and complexities of patients as individuals.

Trainees work in one of three sites in Scotland (Lothian, Grampian and Greater Glasgow and Clyde) with a dedicated Education Supervisor (ES).  Trainees will gain procedural skills and competencies and use the NES ePortfolio to capture learning and progression. Trainees will be assessed in-clinic by both educational and clinical supervisors and will engage in the completion of various workplace-based assessments, such as formative/summative objective assessment of surgical and technical skills (OSATS), mini clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX), and directly observed clinics (DOCs).

Continuation of the programme and progression between speciality trainee (ST) levels is dependent on successful completion of mandatory procedures and competency criteria and will be assessed by CSRH clinicians annually at the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP).  Additionally, CSRH Trainees are expected to will complete MCSRH Part I and Part II membership examinations at ST3 (MCSRH Part I), and ST6 (MCSRH Part II).

Every CSRH trainee will have a different experience throughout their 6 year training programme and may complete competencies in a different order from other trainees. However, in general ST 1-3 includes basic training with attachments in Sexual and Reproductive Health and up to 18 months in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.  ST 4-5 continues SRH but with more advanced training in genitourinary medicine and will have a public health element.  Other training attachments include sexual assault, menopause care, abortion care and sexual problems.   Opportunities to develop in leadership and management are available across the training programme and in particular in ST6. ST6 allows trainees  to complete all outstanding competencies and have opportunity for shadowing to support them to prepare to be a consultant able to lead and manage community based Sexual and Reproductive Health services.  

Trainees are supported in out of programme opportunities if they arise throughout the programme, such as PhD or Leadership Fellowships. Many trainees will also complete training as a Faculty Registered Trainer. Some trainees develop more specific interests during the programme and some consider additional non-mandatory training in sexual problems counselling  or vasectomy for example.

More detailed  information can be found on the College of Sexual and Reproductive health website (CoSRH)  Community Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialty Training Programme (CSRH) - Programme information | CoSRH

Research, audit, teaching and management opportunities

This training programme replaces the SRH subspecialty training of the RCOG leading to the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in O&G.

Where the training is delivered?

• Aberdeen Community Health Village , Aberdeen
• Chalmers Centre, Edinburgh
• Sandyford Clinic, Glasgow
• Ayrshire Central Hospital
• St Johns Hospital, Livingston
• Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen
• Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
• Glasgow Royal Infirmary
• Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

Contacts and useful links

Information
Programme type (Deanery or National):	Deanery
Administration office:	National
Lead Dean / Director:	Professor Alan Denison
Responsible Associate Postgraduate Dean or Assistant Director (GP):	Dr Claire Alexander
Specialty or Sub-specialty:	Specialty
Date of GMC recent approval:	Aug 2014
Associated Royal College - Faculty:	Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Curriculum and associated assessment system:	http://www.gmc-uk.org/CSRH_curriculum.pdf_31295487.pdf
Programme administrator:	Name: Carol Ann Leiper Email: caro.leiper@nhs.scot
Programme director(s):	Name: Dr Susan Brechin Email: susan.brechin@nhs.scot
Quality of training:	Quality Management

How to apply

This page was last updated on: 29.08.2025 at 13.05