The introduction to population screening module provides a short introduction to what screening is – and is not. It includes common misconceptions and explanations of important terms such as sensitivity and specificity. Screening professionals are encouraged to complete this module before moving on to the relevant programme-specific resources.

It uses an engaging, interactive approach, including videos and animations, to cover:

• what population screening is and the generic screening pathway common to all programmes
• the national screening programmes in England and their target populations and conditions
• the limitations of screening and the difference to diagnosis
• the screening cycle, from evidence to implementation and quality assurance
• the different organisations involved with screening programmes in England, including Public Health England, NHS England and the UK National Screening Committee

The introduction to population screening module is freely available to access. However please note your progress and completion of sessions will not be recorded if you access without registering or logging on and you will not be able to generate a record of completion.

If you require evidence of learning, please register and then log in to access this programme on the elfh Hub.

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The Antenatal and newborn screening elearning module is a flexible cross-programme training resource for all health care professionals and students involved in antenatal and newborn screening in the NHS in England.

It enables learning to be evidenced and promotes informed choice for patients and their families regarding screening.

• Unit 1 Screening and informed choice
• Unit 2 Screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia
• Unit 3 Infectious diseases in pregnancy
• Unit 4 Screening for Trisomy 21, 18 and 13 (Down’s, Edwards’s and Patau’s syndrome)
• Unit 5 20-week screening scan
• Unit 6 Newborn Blood Spot
• Unit 7 Newborn and Infant Physical Examination
• Unit 8 Newborn Hearing
• Unit 9 Assessment

© Public Health England 2017. These are not covered by the Open Government Licence. Contact PHE.screeninghelpdesk@nhs.net  for all re-use enquiries.

About

NHS Screening Programmes each have a defined set of standards for providers to meet to ensure that services are safe and effective. Quality assurance (QA) is the process of checking that these standards are met and encouraging continuous improvement.

The modules in this section are for healthcare professionals to use to ensure screening services are of a high quality.

Key performance indicators (KPI): Antenatal coverage

The aims of this resource are to help you understand:

• the meaning of coverage
• why monitoring and reporting coverage is important
• that KPIs are not simply a data collection exercise but that each number relates to an individual woman going through the screening pathway
• how to achieve complete and timely KPI submissions
• how to improve the data quality

Culture: Screening Quality Assurance Service

The aims of this resource are to help you understand:

• the culture of the QA service
• the difference between inspection and facilitation
• why language is important

Antenatal and Newborn: Programme Specific Operating Model (PSOM)

The aims of this resource are to help you understand:

• the aims of the screening quality assurance service
• what is included and what is new in the antenatal and newborn PSOM
• how we arrange QA visits
• how we deal with recommendations

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Programme Specific Operating Model (PSOM)

The aims of this resource are to help you understand:

• what is included and what is new in the AAA PSOM

Professional clinical advisor (PCA) refresher training

The aim of this resource is to refresh and update you on the role of PCA.  As part of the course you will:

• think about how PCAs do their work
• revisit the roles and responsibilities of a PCA
• reflect on what you have learned from your experience and learn from the experiences of others
• refresh your knowledge of the key skills required to be successful in the role

© Public Health England 2017. These are not covered by the Open Government Licence. Contact PHE.screeninghelpdesk@nhs.net  for all re-use enquiries.

This is an introductory resource which aims to increase understanding of screening safety incidents and how these should be reported and managed.

The resource is aimed at:

• Programme managers and other lead staff working in NHS screening programmes
• Public Health England (PHE) staff working in NHS England public health commissioning teams
• PHE staff working in the Screening Quality Assurance Service (SQAS)

This resource is designed to act as an induction resource for staff who are new to screening incidents. It is also intended to be used as pre-course information for staff attending face to face training courses on screening incidents.

It covers the principles set out in national guidance Managing Safety Incidents in NHS Screening Programmes (2017).

Learning outcomes:

1. Know how to define a screening safety incident and understand how a screening incident differs from other patient safety incidents
2. Know the difference between a screening safety incident and a serious screening incident
3. Understand the process for reporting screening incidents and the timeframes
4. Be able to define the key steps in managing and investigating screening incidents and the responsibilities of the different organisations involved

Length: 25 minutes

© Public Health England 2019.  This is not covered by the Open Government Licence. Contact PHEScreening@phe.gov.uk for all re-use enquiries.

The level 3 Health Screener Diploma (HSD) is the recommended national training programme for new screeners, who are not regulated by a professional body, working in the newborn hearing, abdominal aortic aneurysm and diabetic eye screening programmes.

This e-resource provides on overview of what is involved in undertaking the level 3 qualification. It describes the structure of the qualification and the roles and responsibilities of the personnel involved in the delivery of the qualification.

The subject specific topics are grouped to steer the learner towards gathering evidence holistically. The aims of these topics are to signpost and guide the learner so that by reflecting on and answering the questions posed in the resource they can provide level 3 evidence that shows the application of their knowledge and skills to their specific screener role.

The resource uses an engaging, interactive approach, including videos and animations, to cover:

• Topic 1: Health Screener Diploma (HSD) Overview
• Topic 2: Navigating the Health Screener Diploma (HSD)
• Topic 3: The Screener’s Role
• Topic 4: Communication and Information
• Topic 5: Health and Safety
• Topic 6: Infection Prevention and Control

There are no certificates associated with this resource.

Health Education England elearning for healthcare has worked in partnership with Public Health England Screening to develop a new population screening session as part of the All Our Health elearning programme.
Population Screening covers the basics of screening, highlighting its importance and benefits, and gives health and care professionals information on the following NHS screening programmes:

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Bowel cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical
• Diabetic Eye
• Pregnant women and newborn babies:
• Sickle cell and thalassemia
• Infectious diseases in pregnancy
• Fetal anomaly
• Newborn an infant physical examination
• Newborn bloodspot
• Newborn hearing
• Young Person and Adult (YPA)

The bite-sized session also encourages colleagues to actively raise awareness of screening to individuals and gives advice on reducing screening inequalities by making individuals aware of the NHS screening programmes and supporting them to make informed choices about screening.

For more information or to access the free elearning session, visit the All Our Health programme page.

Programme information

The NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) offers screening to all eligible pregnant women in England to assess the chance of the baby being born with Down’s syndrome,  Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome or a number of fetal anomalies (unexpected development of the developing fetus).

NHS FASP aims to ensure there is equal access to uniform and quality-assured screening across England and women are provided with high quality information so they can make an informed choice about their screening and pregnancy options.

Education and training resources are available for staff covering all stages of the process, from informing women of test availability, through to understanding and supporting their decisions.

© PHE Copyright 2017. These are not covered by the Open Government Licence. Contact PHEScreening@phe.gov.uk for all re-use enquiries.

Screening for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome

The `Screening for Down`s syndrome, Edwards` syndrome and Patau`s syndrome` elearning module is a training resource for all practitioners involved in the support and delivery of the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (NHS FASP) in England.

NHS FASP recommend that all health professionals involved in offering screening for Down`s syndrome, Edwards` syndrome and Patau`s syndrome complete this resource every 24 months.

The elearning resource explores many of the different and often difficult decisions women make and the possible impact of those decisions.

It features film sequences and interactive aspects, which share learning and illustrate important issues. There is a quiz at the end of each unit. A certificate will be provided on successful completion.

First trimester screening resource for ultrasound practitioners

The First trimester screening resource for sonographers module is a training resource for all practitioners involved in support and delivery of NHS FASP Down’s syndrome, Edwards` syndrome and Patau`s syndrome screening in the NHS in England.

NHS FASP recommends that all sonographers involved in offering screening for Down`s syndrome, Edwards` syndrome and Patau`s syndrome complete this resource every 12 months and evidence that learning.

A certificate will be provided on completion.

• Unit 1 Measuring the Crown Rump Length (CRL) for the combined test
• Unit 2 Measuring the Nuchal Translucency (NT) for the combined test
• Unit 3 Measuring the Head Circumference (HC)for the quadruple test
• Unit 4 Screening pathways
• Unit 5 Sonographers – issues to consider
• Unit 6 Optimising the CRL and NT images

18+0 to 20+6 week screening scan resource

The 18⁺⁰ to 20⁺⁶ week fetal anomaly ultrasound scan elearning resource is a training resource for all practitioners involved in the support and delivery of NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (NHS FASP) 18⁺⁰ to 20⁺⁶ week fetal anomaly screening in England.

The overall aim of the resource is to enable practitioners to make the offer of the 18⁺⁰ to 20⁺⁶ week fetal anomaly ultrasound scan, understand the purpose and scope of the scan, and to explain the results to women.

This is a supportive resource and there is no set timescale for completion.

Each unit includes a quiz at the end so that you can test your own knowledge. The resource features dynamic film sequences which demonstrate shared learning and illustrate important issues.

A certificate is provided on completion.

Fetal cardiac elearning

The fetal cardiac elearning resource is a training resource primarily for sonographers involved in the delivery of NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) 18⁺⁰ to 20⁺⁶ week ultrasound screening in the NHS in England.

The module covers the new three vessel trachea view (3VT) and reviews the existing four FASP cardiac views. A certificate will be provided on successful completion.

• Unit 1 Anatomy of the heart
• Unit 2 Undertaking ultrasonography
• Unit 3 Review questions and answers
• Unit 4 Image optimisation (machine settings)

NHS FASP recommend that all sonographers involved in offering 18⁺⁰ to 20⁺⁶ week fetal anomaly ultrasound screening in the NHS in England complete this resource once. Thereafter, it is a supportive resource, and there is no set timescale for completion.

Non Invasive Prenatal Testing – evaluative roll out

The Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) elearning resource is a training resource for all health care professionals who offer screening for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome in England. The Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) recommend that all health professionals involved in offering screening for Down`s, Edwards` and Patau`s syndromes complete this resource.

The  NIPT elearning unit includes:

• a full version, which should be completed by healthcare professionals who have not completed the old NIPT cascade training
• a short summary and update version, which should be completed by healthcare professionals who completed the old NIPT cascade training

Programme information

This advanced resource aims to provide in depth information on screening for infectious diseases in pregnancy to support professionals to deliver the screening programme.

© Public Health England Copyright. These are not covered by the Open Government Licence. Contact PHEScreening@phe.gov.uk for all re-use enquiries.

Course Information:

The NHS infectious diseases in pregnancy screening (IDPS) elearning course is a free interactive training resource aimed at any health care professional involved in screening for infectious diseases in the NHS in England.

The resource consists of 4 units:

Units 1, 2, and 3 offer information about HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis and the measures to be taken to prevent vertical transmission.

Unit 4, the screening pathway, contains information about screening process, emphasises key points of care on the screening pathway and offers guidance on how to manage different screening scenarios.

The course should be undertaken annually by those who are involved in screening as part of their CPD and form part of an induction for any new screening midwives.

About

The NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) Screening Programme’s main aim is to identify and refer all children born with congenital abnormalities of the eyes, heart, hips, and testes (in males), where these are detectable, within 72 hours of birth at the NIPE newborn screening examination; to further identify those abnormalities that may become detectable by 6-8 weeks of age, at the NIPE infant screening examination, and thereby reduce morbidity and mortality. These ages are recommended based on best practice and current evidence and should facilitate a prompt referral for early clinical assessment.

NHS newborn and infant physical screening examination elearning module

The NHS newborn and infant physical examination elearning module is aimed at health care professionals who undertake newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) screening in the NHS in England.

It covers the 4 screening elements of the physical examination:

• eyes
• heart
• hips
• testes (males)

As a useful addition to formal training, the module uses film and animation to illustrate robust screening pathways and best practice.

• Unit 1 Screening and the Newborn and Infant physical examination
• Unit 2 Screening examination of the eyes
• Unit 3 Screening examination of the Cardiovascular System
• Unit 4 Screening examination of the hips
• Unit 5 Screening examination of the Testes
• Unit 6 Further information for NIPE practitioners
• Unit 7 Assessment

© Public Health England 2017. These are not covered by the Open Government Licence.  Contact PHE.screeninghelpdesk@nhs.net for all re-use enquiries.

About

The NHS Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme screens newborn babies for some rare but serious conditions.  For each condition, the benefits of screening outweigh the potential risks.

The 9 conditions for which screening is offered are:

• sickle cell disease (SCD)
• cystic fibrosis (CF)
• congenital hypothyroidism (CHT)
• 6 inherited metabolic diseases

Newborn blood spot screening tests a blood sample that is taken from a baby’s heel and spotted on to a special card containing the baby’s and mother’s details. The sample taker sends the blood spot card to a regional newborn screening laboratory for testing.

Newborn blood spot screening enables early identification, referral and treatment of babies with 9 rare but serious conditions. Babies who test positive can then be treated early, improving their health and in some cases, preventing severe disability or even death.

Newborn blood spot conditions

E-learning users learn about the causes, incidence, effects and treatment for each of the 9 conditions:

• sickle cell disease (SCD)
• cystic fibrosis (CF)
• congenital hypothyroidism (CHT)
• 6 inherited metabolic diseases:

• • phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD)
  • maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)
  • isovaleric acidaemia (IVA)
  • glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1)
  • homocystinuria (HCU)

The module contains information about informed choice and ends with an interview with a mother of a child affected with one of the conditions.  It is aimed primarily at health professionals taking blood spot samples.

At the end of module you will be asked 12 questions based on what you have learned, for which you have to answer 10 correctly, before being able to a complete the module.

Newborn blood spot card

This module focuses on the newborn blood spot card.

It looks at how the card must be filled out correctly in order to avoid errors that lead to avoidable repeat samples.

The interactive card allows you to select each field on the blood spot card and learn about the importance of each section. New and revised fields are mandatory.

The module also covers what happens to the blood spot cards after screening is completed, known as ‘residual blood spots’. It explains potential further uses which includes quality assurance and research.

At the end of the module you will be asked 10 questions based on what you have learned, for which you have to answer 8 correctly, before being able to complete the module.

Newborn blood spot sample

This module explains how to take a newborn blood spot sample.

• It explains why a good quality blood spot sample is important and what might happen if a baby has a poor quality sample.
• The module gives practical tips on what to do before, during and after taking the sample. It also includes two videos – a midwife describing how she improved her practice and a look at what happens when samples reach the laboratory.
• There is also an animation that describes, from the laboratory’s perspective, why each sample must contain the correct amount of blood.
• At the end of module you will be asked 10 questions based on what you have learned, for which you have to answer 8 correctly, before being able to a complete the module.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)

The aim of this elearning module is to support health professionals working in SCID screening areas to:

• understand what SCID is and the incidence of SCID
• describe the effects of SCID
• describe screening for SCID
• describe the SCID evaluation
• understand what the SCID screening outcomes may mean
• know the common treatments for SCID
• understand what SCID information and support is available to parents

The resource should take no more than 45 minutes to complete.

About

The newborn hearing screening test helps to identify babies who have permanent hearing loss as early as possible. This means that parents can get the advice and support they need as soon as possible.

The modules in this section are for healthcare professionals working in this programme.

E-learning screener module

• NHSP Screener unit 1: Screening
• NHSP Screener unit 2: The ear
• NHSP Screener unit 3: Hearing loss
• NHSP Screener unit 4: Screening techniques
• NHSP Screener unit 5: NHSP protocols
• NHSP Screener unit 6: NHSP in practice
• NHSP Screener unit 7: NHSP IT system

(c) Public Health England Copyright. These are not covered by the Open Government Licence. Contact PHEScreening@phe.gov.uk for all re-use enquiries.

About

The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Screening Programme is a linked screening programme.  It uses the Family Origin Questionnaire and blood tests, to screen pregnant women (and the baby’s biological father where relevant) to identify those at risk of having a baby with either one of two serious inherited blood disorders – sickle cell disease and thalassaemia major.  People who have these conditions need specialist care throughout their lives.

The SCT Programme gives parents time to consider the options available and make decisions for their pregnancy.

It also screens newborn babies for sickle cell disease as part of the Newborn Bloodspot Programme. This means that babies can be given the best support and treatment from the very start.

Sickle cell and thalassaemia screening elearning module

• Introducing the sickle cell and thalassaemia screening elearning resource.
• Unit 1 AN and NB screening for sickle cell, thalassaemia and other haemoglobin variants
• Unit 2 Understanding haemoglobinopathies
• Unit 3 About sickle cell disease
• Unit 4 About Thalassaemia
• Unit 5 Informed choice and understanding diverse needs in screening
• Unit 6 Understanding the screening test and the FOQ
• Unit 7 Understanding antenatal screening results
• Unit 8 Communicating and responding to screening results
• Unit 9 Screening the newborn infant
• Unit 10 Toolbox

The toolbox has a summary of all the materials and references provided throughout the elearning resource.  All web links are correct at time of publication.

SCT Laboratory module

This elearning module is divided into 3 main sections – part 1, part 2 and a quiz.

Level 1 – the first set of units which feature all the conditions you must detect for the antenatal screening programme.

Level 2 – the second set of units feature more complex conditions. Please note not all the methods are available yet in the elearning module.

Quiz – The quiz features 20 multiple choice questions relevant to antenatal screening, which you can complete to test your knowledge and print a certificate for your portfolio. Each time you attempt the quiz, you’ll be given a random selection of questions. Good Luck!

© Public Health England 2017. These are not covered by the Open Government Licence.  Contact PHE.screeninghelpdesk@nhs.net for all re-use enquiries.

About

The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme aims to reduce premature deaths from ruptured AAAs among men aged 65 and over  through early detection, appropriate follow-on tests and referral for potential treatment.

It offers all men an ultrasound scan of the abdominal aorta during the year they turn 65 and on request, for men over 65.

Screening technician elearning

This module consists of 2 units. These are:

• Unit 1 Principles of AAA screening and treatment
• Unit 2 Principles of ultrasound for AAA

These units have been designed to help support 2 units of the Level 3 Health Screener Diploma.

These 2 units are also the elearning units for knowledge assessment for the reaccreditation of existing qualified screening technicians.

There is a quiz at the end of unit 1 and unit 2. The pass mark for both is 80%

Clinical skills trainer elearning

This module consists of 5 units. These are:

• Unit 1 Giving feedback and handling difficult conversations
• Unit 2 The NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme
• Unit 3 What is screening?
• Unit 4 Principles of AAA screening and treatment
• Unit 5 Principles of ultrasound

Units 4 and 5 are identical to the 2 units in the Screening Technician’s module. This is to give the Clinical Skills Trainer an appreciation of the level of knowledge that is expected of the Screening Technician.

There is a quiz at the end of unit 4 and unit 5. The pass mark is 80%

Unit 3 is a series of interactive video resources. These explain the evaluation and delivery of screening and covers skills relating to application of this evidence in daily practice.

This resource provides an overview of the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme. It is aimed specifically at specialist clinicians working within hospital eye services (HES).

This module uses retinal images and explanations of features that are used to grade images in feature-based grading.

The course has been developed as point of reference material only. It is not intended as a diagnostic tool.

NHS Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme

NHS Bowel Cancer Screening (BCSP) Programme

About

The  NHS Breast Screeing Programme (BSP) is an NHS population screening programme. The NHS BSP offers screening to all women aged 50 to 70.

Breast Cancer Duty of Candour/Disclosure of Audit elearning

This module comprises of the guidance and toolkit related to the clinical responsibilities and processes to be undertaken for women presenting with an interval cancer between routine breast cancer screening.

This includes the offer of a review meeting to the woman to discuss the outcomes of her case review.

The film has been developed to support clinicians undertaking the meeting.

Introduction to Breast Screening

The aims of this resource are to help you understand:

• what breast screening is
• who is eligible for breast screening and why
• the breast screening pathway
• roles and responsibilities of different organisations and staff groups

About

The aim of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number of women who die from it. This is done through a systematic, quality assured population-based screening programme for eligible women.

Cervical sample taker update training

This elearning course has been created for all sample takers in the English cervical screening programme.  It will fulfil the three year sample taker training update mandatory requirements and help maintain and improve sample taker knowledge of the cervical screening programme.

The elearning module has been created for all sample takers in England.  It is based on a previous course developed in the Northern and Yorkshire NHS region.

Sample taker training: the interim assessment

This resource is a library of 24 numbered images of cervices each with case information and discussion suggestions for use in the sample taker interim assessment.

The assessment takes place in a professional discussion between the mentor and trainee based on a selection of images.
The interim assessment is obligatory, and its purpose is to make sure the trainee is ready to proceed to their unsupervised clinical practice.
The module is one unit only.

Primary HPV screening elearning course for sample takers

Sample takers have an important role in ensuring women understand the concept of hrHPV testing and the results of their screen.  This national resource on screening using primary hrHPV testing has been developed for sample takers working in the NHSCSP. It may also be a useful resource for colposcopy nurses, as women often have questions about hrHPV testing on attendance at colposcopy.

This module consists of 6 units

Unit 1: Introduction

Unit 2: HPV Primary screening pathways

Unit 3: The role of HPV in Cervical disease and HPV transmission

Unit 4: Communication

Unit 5: Taking the test

Unit 6:Quiz

Primary HPV screening elearning course for colposcopists

This national elearning module on primary HPV screening has been developed for colposcopists working in the NHSCSP. It aims to provide colposcopists with the with confidence to follow the  primary HPV testing pathway and discharge appropriately. The module consists of 5 units.

Unit 1: Cervical Screening using Primary hrHPV testing

Unit 2: Primary HPV screening pathways

Unit 3: Effects of primary HPV screening pathways on referrals to colposcopy

Unit 4: Case studies and Q&A

Unit 5: Future developments

Disclosure of audit results (DoAR) and duty of candour (DoC) in cervical screening

This elearning course has been developed for staff working in the cervical screening programme who are involved in the disclosure of invasive cervical cancer audit results.
It provides guidance on the processes involved when undertaking a cervical cancer audit and offering disclosure of the audit results. It also includes a video that highlights best practice when communicating the results of the invasive cervical cancer audit to patients.

The course is mandatory for all staff who undertake cervical screening disclosure of audit results (DoAR) and duty of candour (DoC) meetings with patients.

The module is one unit only.

Description:

The Child Vision Screening elearning module aims of this resource are to assist child vision screeners carry out their roles. It:

• is used as part of the initial training if they are new to this role
• enables child vision screeners to meet the competencies required for this role
• may be used for child vision screeners’ mandatory training

The module features film sequences and interactive aspects, which share learning and illustrate important issues.  A certificate is provided on successful completion of the assessment module.

Below are the units in the module:

Introduction

Unit 1: About child vision screening

Unit 2: Vision development in children and what can go wrong

Unit 3: Preparing for the vision screening test

Unit 4: Undertaking the vision screening test

Unit 5: After the vision screening test

Unit 6: Assessment.