The NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) Screening Programme’s e-learning is being revamped.
Two of the NIPE module’s units will soon have a slightly new look. This is to ensure the resource is in line with safeguarding requirements when it moves to the Health Education England’s e-LfH platform.
The NIPE programme offers screening for newborn babies within 72 hours of birth, and then once again between 6 and 8 weeks of age , for conditions relating to their eyes, heart, hips, and, in boys, their testes. The 6 to 8 week screen is necessary as some conditions appear later in a child’s development.
The e-learning module provides an overview of the NIPE screening pathway and has 7 units, including one on each of the 4 NIPE screening elements: eyes, heart, hips and testes. It helps healthcare professionals develop their knowledge of the NIPE screening elements pathways and the NIPE programme standards.
We have reviewed and updated the e-learning to make it accessible for more healthcare professionals involved in the newborn and infant physical examination while ensuring it remains in line with safeguarding requirements.
Since its introduction 4 years ago, access to the e-learning resource has been restricted due to the sensitive content of the film elements showing the examination of the testes and hips. We have replaced or amended some of the video footage that could give rise to safeguarding concerns.
In the examination of the testes unit, we have added illustrations to help describe best clinical practice. New diagrams show the fetal development of the testes and the usual passage of descent of the testes down the inguinal canal. The introduction of the fetal development is a new feature in the module. We have also pixelated images in the film showing the examination of the hips in order to meet safeguarding guidance.
The NIPE e-learning module is very popular with a range of healthcare professionals who undertake the newborn and infant examination, including midwives, student midwives, junior doctors and senior paediatricians. It helps inform their knowledge of NIPE screening and supports their clinical practice. The resource is also useful for GPs as they perform the 6 to 8 week infant examination.
The new improved visual content will make it easier for more healthcare professionals involved in providing the NIPE screening programme to access this educational resource.
We are planning to transfer the NIPE e-learning module to its new home on the e-learning for health platform on 3 April 2017. People who are working on the module will still have access via the screening CPD site but will need to complete all units by 30 April 2017. We are contacting users directly to inform them of this.
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