This career framework highlights the wide range of sexual and reproductive health services. Provision may be through dedicated services, such as integrated sexual health, or as part of broader clinical and specialist care.

• Sexual reproductive health career framework
• Primary care services
• Integrated sexual health services
• Key points of the framework

In 2024, we updated our definition of nursing, highlighting its complex role as a safety-critical profession founded on the pillars of clinical practice, education, research and leadership.

• Levels of nursing
• Course options and flexible learning routes
• Four pillars of nursing
• Clinical
• Research
• Education
• Leadership

Sexual health and reproductive health care includes distinct areas of practice and specialised services.

• Specialist practice and services
• Abortion care / termination of pregnancy care
• Cervical screening
• Contraception, fertility awareness and preconception care
• Gender identity clinics
• Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) and sexual health (SH) services
• Long-term conditions
• Menopause care
• Psychosexual services
• Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs)

• Moving forward in your career
• Using reflective practice to develop your expertise
• Nursing practice professional portfolio
• Portfolio guidance for enhanced, advanced and consultant clinical practice

There are examples of excellent development pathways across the UK. Some examples can be seen in the following case studies.

• Case studies
• Nurse Practitioner, Integrated Sexual Health Service
• Band 6 Sexual Health Nurse
• Health Advisor, Sexual Health Nurse
• Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) – Sexual reproductive health and HIV

The nursing support workforce plays a vital role in delivering safe and effective care.

• Nursing support workforce
• Integrated sexual health and reproductive health services
• National Vocational Qualification

Nursing associates were introduced into the health and care workforce in England from 2019 and play a vital role in delivering safe and effective care. They are currently being considered for implementation in Wales.

• Nursing associates
• Primary care
• Integrated sexual health and reproductive health services
• Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) / Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) & HIV

This section focuses on newly qualified nurses or those new to sexual health and reproductive health care. Once qualified, any nurse can choose a pathway that includes sexual health and reproductive health.

• Registered nurse
• The Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards
• Accredited university modules and CPD support
• Progression routes
• Primary care
• Integrated sexual health and reproductive health services

This section focuses on how to augment skills and knowledge in sexual health and reproductive health care.

• Enhanced level practice
• Primary care
• Integrated sexual health and reproductive health services

This section focuses on developing advanced practice skills and knowledge in sexual health and reproductive health care.

• Advanced level practice
• Primary care
• Integrated sexual health and reproductive health services

This section focuses on consultant-led sexual health and reproductive health care.

• Consultant level practice
• Primary care
• Integrated sexual health and reproductive health services

In this section you will find a glossary of terms.

• Glossary