Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) Course

This one-day, hands-on training course focuses on the outpatient management of miscarriage and abortion using manual vacuum aspiration (MVA).

Delivered by expert clinical and educational facilitators, the course provides both theoretical knowledge and practical simulation-based training to support clinicians in developing competence in MVA. It covers the clinical, practical and service requirements for delivering uterine evacuation in an outpatient setting.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain what MVA is and the latest evidence for its use for a range of indications
  • Confidently fit together and operate an MVA kit
  • Describe appropriate pain relief for patients having an MVA
  • Safely undertake MVA of uterine contents in a model
  • Provide appropriate support for patients having an MVA and their support person
  • Develop a business case for MVA

During the course, you will:

  • Meet others with experience of setting up similar services
  • Make contacts for sharing guidelines and pathways

Who should attend

  • All Doctors in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Midwives
  • Nurses
  • Allied Health Care Professionals

This course is suitable for those who are new to MVA, as well as those seeking to update their knowledge and skills in line with current evidence and practice.

Course Format

  • Format: In-person
  • Teaching methods: Lectures, simulation and practical skills training
  • Duration: 1 day

How this course fits into training

This course forms part of BSACP’s structured education pathway. It is designed to build on foundational knowledge, such as that gained through Abortion Care Essentials and the Uterine Evacuation Course and supports the development of practical procedural skills in uterine evacuation in the first trimester. It complements further training in:

This course also supports preparation for workplace-based competency development through specialty training programmes and the Abortion Care Specialist Modules (ACSM).

Curriculum Alignment

This course supports postgraduate training within both:

  • Obstetrics & Gynaecology (RCOG Core Curriculum 2024)
  • Community Sexual & Reproductive Health (CSRH Curriculum – College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare)

Participation in this course may contribute evidence towards relevant Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), procedural skills and reflective learning within Resident Doctors’ training portfolios.

A detailed curriculum mapping document is available here:

Upcoming Courses

Check our events page for more information on upcoming courses.