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Sexual Health Group Plc

Company News

10 APRIL 2006

SEXUAL HEALTH GROUP PLC
(“Sexual Health Group” or “the Company”)

COLLABORATION WITH ROYAL COLLEGE OF NURSING AND UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH TO DEVELOP ONLINE COURSE

The Board of Sexual Health Group, a national supplier of sexual health products to customers including the NHS, is pleased to announce the Company’s collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing (“RCN”) and the University of Greenwich (“UG”) to develop an online course titled ‘Promoting Sexual Health’.

The ‘Promoting Sexual Health’ online course is a highly innovative e-learning initiative to make sexual health education available nationally at the click of a mouse. The course is designed to encourage health professionals to stay in the industry by providing increased resources to information on matters concerning sexual health and ways to promote it in the community. Other key benefits include:

  • Unique customised learning resources provided by Sexual Health Group;
  • A rich online learning environment with tutor support and easy access to high quality links, provided by the University of Greenwich, to enhance the learning experience;
  • The e-learning format facilitates world wide access as well as embracing and valuing peer involvement and sharing of knowledge; and
  • Professional recognition by the RCN and provision of an essential course text in the form of a “Reader”.

The course can be taken as a stand-alone module, or as part of a BSc Hons Degree at the University of Greenwich, and is open to those interested in promoting sexual health as part of their working role.

The collaboration with the University and the RCN is a significant step in Sexual Health Group’s development. The RCN works closely with the Department of Health and many opinion leaders in the industry and this relationship will be highly beneficial for both the Company and the Condomania brand. The Condomania brand has already achieved a share of approximately 9% of the NHS Condom market which equates to 2-3% of the total UK market. The online course will be a long-term project and the three organisations will be working together to actively promote sexual health in the UK.

Sexual Health Group’s involvement will include a contribution to the provision of training resources and support materials that will be available online from the university. .It will also put together case studies for the course on matters such as sexual health promotion at local level and condom distribution schemes.

David Evans, RCN Sexual Health Skills Course Manager said: “I am delighted to be involved in creating this course. Sexual health has become a major public health issue in the UK and nurses are often the first point of contact for many clients who need help and advice on sexual health. Promoting Sexual Health will help them to develop their skills and knowledge and provide the essential advice, and support that their clients need.”

Commenting today, Sexual Health Group Chief Executive, George Sutherland, said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with the Royal College of Nursing and the University of Greenwich. This is an exciting collaboration for the Company that we see as a long term and beneficial partnership for all parties concerned. We are committed to raising sexual health awareness in the community and strongly believe this course will support all those who work to promote the cause.”

Linda Thorne, Principal Lecturer in the Credit for Learning Centre, University of Greenwich School of Health & Social Care, says: “This course brings together the expertise of three organisations that are leaders in their fields, to address a serious national problem.

“The government have identified a national need for more education for health care staff in the fields of teenage pregnancy, sexual health and HIV/AIDS. This course has been designed to meet that need.”

---ENDS---

The Directors of the Issuer accept responsibility for this announcement.

Enquiries:

Sexual Health Group Plc
John French, Chairman Mobile: 07836 722 482

St Helen’s Capital Plc Tel: 020 7628 5582
Barry Hocken

Bishopsgate Communications Ltd. Tel: 020 7430 1600
Dominic Barretto
Sophie Davis

Royal College of Nursing
Media office Tel: 020 7647 3633
press.office@rcn.org.uk

University of Greenwich
Caron Jones, Public Relations Tel: 020 8331 8248

Photographs are available through the Company’s PR adviser, Bishopsgate Communications Ltd.

Notes to Editors:

Sexual Health Group
The Company's business was founded in 2000, and is a national supplier of sexual health products. The Company initially created the Condomania brand as a supplier of condoms to major professional customers such as the NHS and the British Armed Forces, and is actively engaged in the production of complementary products for the sexual health market.

The Condomania brand has already achieved a share of approximately 9% of the NHS Condom market which equates to 2.25% of the total UK market. Condomania has shown substantial growth in sales and distribution. At 11 products, it has one of the widest ranges of condoms available via the NHS in the UK. The Company's strategy is to bring a pipeline of new products in sexual health to the UK market.

The Company has been focusing on the development of its relationship with the NHS, and has developed its profile through this relationship. This will remain as a major part of its strategy for growth.

Royal College of Nursing
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.

‘Promoting Sexual Health’ will be available from January 2007. Information can be found on www.rcn.org.uk/sexualhealthlearning or the Course Enquiry Unit, freephone 0800 005 006.

University of Greenwich
For more information see www.greenwich.ac.uk or call freephone: 0800 005 006

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