Dates: All sessions will be via Teams on Wednesdays: 1 pm to 5:30 pm (with 30 min break)
Module One: April 30th, May 7th and May 21st 2025 Module Two: Dates TBA (October & Nov 2025)
The Advanced Skills Course covers the theory and practice of Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) for
planning and avoiding pregnancy. This intensive training is relevant to doctors, nurses and midwives working
in general practice, family planning, fertility clinics and sexual and reproductive health care. FAMs are
increasingly in demand from women and couples for ecological and medical reasons; cultural, religious and
moral reasons or as a lifestyle choice. These natural methods also help to address health inequalities across
minority ethnic groups. The credibility of FAMs is well-established – they are highly effective when motivated
couples are taught a combination of indicators by suitably-trained practitioners. European effectiveness
studies show a pregnancy rate of 1.8% with typical use. (Frank-Hermann 2007)
Aim To enable participants to achieve professional competence to offer fertility awareness methods as part of
a comprehensive range of sexual and reproductive health care services.
Learning outcomes
- Integrate fertility education into pre-conception, contraceptive, sexual & reproductive health consultations.
- Examine the role of different fertility indicators and their appropriateness in specific circumstances.
- Demonstrate the importance of preconception health and lifestyle and the role of fertility awareness to optimise chances of conception.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of FAMs using combined indicators for avoiding pregnancy across the reproductive lifespan.
Teaching and learning style: The theoretical aspects of each topic will be covered using seminar-style,
followed by practical charting exercises. Course materials include a course manual, workbook and client
teaching materials. Telephone and online supervision and support is available between study days.
Formative and summative assessment is made on theoretical aspects and the practicalities of client teaching.
Pre-course reading: Pre-course assessment on the first day of Module One.
Course textbook: The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness, Jane Knight (Routledge 2017)
Client book: What Every Woman Needs to Know about Fertility, Jane Knight & Toni Belfield (Sheldon Press 2023)
Accreditation A certificate of competence will be awarded to those who successfully complete the course.
Cost: £1,250 (inclusive VAT): This inclusive fee covers the taught course, course manual, workbook,
teaching aids, examination fees and up to two hours supervision during the course. Additional supervision can
be arranged at the participant’s own expense. Participants who do not achieve the required level of
competence in their examination, will be responsible for any additional tutorial fees and re-examination costs.
Course Facilitators:
Dr Cecilia Pyper, Strategic Director, Public Health Action Support Team (PHAST), Oxford
Jane Knight, Fertility Nurse Specialist, Fertility UK, Oxford
Dr Liz Azzopardi, Specialty Doctor in Sexual & Reproductive Health, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Anita Winter, Fertility Awareness Practitioner (& CASH Nurse until 2022) Bath
Dr Heather Walton, General Practitioner, Lincolnshire
Plus invited speakers including Toni Belfield, Sexual Health Information Expert
For Course Registration or for further information about the course, please use the contact form