The pilot study of Orchid, the new digital tool to support reproductive life planning, is in full swing in three NHS healthcare settings: a GP practice in South London, a sexual health clinic in Hackney and a Women’s Health Hub in Tower Hamlets. Each site received training from a GP in our team prior to the launch, along with a supply of posters and leaflets inviting patients to participate.

The training aimed to engage the audience and enable them to implement the new learning immediately. The first part of each one-hour training session covered aspects of pre-conception health and care that were most likely to be new and stimulating, set in the context of real-world consultations with patients. Orchid was then introduced, with a brief description of its content and capabilities, and its potential as a tool that health care professionals could signpost patients to without adding much time to the consultation. Practicalities of the pilot study were also discussed, including specific recruitment methods at the different sites.

Delivery of the training was in person at two of the pilot sites and online at the third, fitting in with existing CPD programmes. A PowerPoint presentation was developed and adapted for each group according to the type of clinic and setting, and we are currently conducting individual interviews with participants about their views and experiences of both the training and of promoting Orchid to patients.

We are very grateful to the staff at all three sites for participating in this important pilot project and are looking forward to incorporating the results into the next stage of our programme.