Guidance

NHS population screening: education and training

Resources to support screening professionals in their initial training and continuing professional development (CPD).

From:
NHS England
Published
8 December 2017
Last updated
11 July 2023 — See all updates

Use this guide to:

  • download tools to help explain screening
  • access e-learning
  • access programme specific training
  • sign up for screening training

e-Learning

Most e-learning for the NHS screening programmes is available on the e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) website. This includes the introduction to population screening module, which explains what screening is and how screening programmes are implemented in the NHS.

We also have an All our Health module on population screening, which is ideal for health and care practitioners who do not work directly in screening to find out more about the NHS screening programmes and what they can do to support them.

Neither of these modules require registration.

Read about the screening courses available and sign up for e-LfH

Screening programme resources

Read further training information on GOV.UK about the:

Antenatal and newborn screening timeline

The antenatal and newborn timeline shows optimum times for NHS antenatal and newborn screening tests to take place.

Antenatal and newborn screening timeline

PDF, 974 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email england.contactus@nhs.net. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Watch an animated antenatal and newborn screening timeline

Neonatal and paediatric intensive care units: learning resource

Download the NICU and PICU resource if you work in a:

  • neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
  • paediatric intensive care unit (PICU)

To support you in ensuring the infants and babies in your care are offered screening in a timely manner, use this self-directed tool to:

  • get an overview of screening within the NICU and PICU environment
  • work through scenarios and examples

When you’ve used the resource, make sure to reflect on your learning and use it as evidence of continuing professional development.

Antenatal and newborn screening resource

Download the antenatal and newborn screening resource

This interactive presentation replaces the pocket-sized resource cards that used to be provided to midwives. It includes important information on all the antenatal and newborn screening programmes, with illustrations and links to films, e-learning and other resources.

Use the resource to:

  • discuss screening with women and their families
  • facilitate informed choices

Student midwife pack

This resource was previously distributed in hard copy to all new student midwives at the start of each academic year. We have now made the information electronic in line with ‘digital first’ and to enable content to be up-to-date at all times. It contains links to education and training resources, an explanation of recessive inheritance and a copy of the interactive resource information for midwives to use with women to support informed choice.

Download the pack

Sense about Science has published a useful guide called Making Sense of Screening. This helps people to weigh up the benefits and harms of health-screening programmes. Professor Anne Mackie, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) Director of Screening, was one of the contributors to the guide.

Additional resources

Additional education and training resources are available from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). These comprise:

  • the health screening module
  • the screening masterclass
  • a screening e-learning module (hosted by the Faculty of Public Health)

Full details are available on the OHID page for education and training for screening-related professionals.

Updates to this page

Published 8 December 2017
Last updated 11 July 2023 + show all updates

  1. Updated the section on bursaries for the health screening module to signpost to the UK NSC blog for the latest information, rather than this page.

  2. Added dates for the 2023 health screening module and when details for the bursary process will be posted. Updated details for applying for a place on the screening masterclass.

  3. Updated the health screener module section to say that the process for bursary applications for the 2022 intake has now closed.

  4. Removed the section on the Warwick health screening one-day workshop as it is not running at the moment.

  5. Updated the closing date for bursary applications to 5 September 2022.

  6. Added the dates for the 2022 Warwick health screening module and how to apply for a bursary.

  7. Updated the chapter about the Warwick health screening module to remove references to the 2021 course and add a holding line about the 2022 one.

  8. Updated the section relating to the Warwick health screening module.

  9. Added link to the new All our Health module on population screening.

  10. Updated information about the Warwick health screening module funding.

  11. Updated information on the screening masterclasses.

  12. Link to online form added for people to apply for the 2021 Warwick health screening module.

  13. Updated the section about the Warwick health screening module with 2021 date.

  14. Replaced NHS screening timeline with new publication and updated information on Warwick health screening course places because applications for funding for 2019 have now closed.

  15. Added information on screening masterclass and e-learning module.

  16. Added deadline date for applying for a bursary for Warwick module funding.

  17. Added details of 'Warwick health screening module' timetable.

  18. Added link to 'Making Sense of Screening' guide on the Sense about Science charity website.

  19. Added information on 'antenatal and newborn screening resource'.

  20. Closing date added for applications for funded places on Warwick screening module.

  21. Added links for Warwick health screening module funding application, course details and timetable.

  22. Added online masterclass resource information.

  23. Added information about the student midwife pack.

  24. First published.

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