NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Screening Programme (NIPE)
Build confidence in delivering Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Screening Programme (NIPE) screening by working through the programme purpose, screening pathways and the four examination elements (eyes, heart, hips and testes). Interactive learning uses film and animation and is designed for NIPE practitioners (as applied in England).
Short e-learning sessions, with reference links to further resources
Who is this NIPE course for?
- NIPE practitioners
- Midwives
- Nurses
- Doctors
- General practitioners
- Health visitors
- New NIPE starters
- Experienced NIPE staff
What’s on this page?
Introduction to the NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Screening Programme (NIPE)
NIPE screening aims to help identify and refer babies who may have abnormalities affecting the eyes, heart, hips and (for boys) testes. The screening offer includes a newborn examination within 72 hours of birth and a further examination at 6–8 weeks, recognising that some findings may only become apparent later.
This course supports healthcare professionals involved in the NIPE pathway by covering what screening is looking for, how the four examination elements are approached, and how findings connect to screening pathways and onward referral.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
- Explain the purpose of NIPE screening and the conditions it is designed to help detect.
- Describe when NIPE examinations are offered (newborn within 72 hours and infant examination at 6–8 weeks) and why timing matters.
- Recognise what each of the four screening elements covers: eyes, heart, hips and testes.
- Identify where the 6–8 week examination is usually carried out and how this fits into the wider pathway.
- Use national guidance alongside e-learning to support consistent screening decisions and actions.
You can also:
- Record and communicate screening outcomes appropriately (including documentation in the child health record (’red book’ in England), and relevant systems where applicable).
- Apply next-step thinking: when and how findings may lead to referral and follow-up in line with local pathways.
Course features
- NIPE-focused e-learning designed for healthcare professionals who undertake newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) screenings.
- Covers the four NIPE screening elements: eyes, heart, hips and testes.
- Uses film and animation to illustrate screening pathways and practice-based learning.
- Includes an assessment unit to check knowledge at the end of the learning sequence.
Why Choose eIntegrity?
Learn in a clear structure that mirrors the NIPE pathway: programme overview → the 4 examination areas → assessment.
Focus on practical screening decisions—what you’re checking, what findings can indicate, and how results flow into next steps.
Use visual learning (film/animation) to reinforce consistent approaches across clinicians and settings.
Keep aligned with current national guidance by using the NIPE handbook alongside the learning.
Course content overview
This course supports healthcare professionals involved in completing NIPE screening, by walking through the purpose of the programme, when screening happens, and the four examination elements. It also links screening activity to documentation and onward actions, so learners can connect technique to the wider screening pathway.
- Subject areas covered: Population screening basics; NIPE programme aims and screening pathway; examination of eyes; cardiovascular examination; hip examination; testes examination (males); practitioner reference/further information.
- What’s included: 8 learning units including an introductory population screening unit and further information for NIPE practitioners explaining how to maintain and develop CPD.
Who developed this course?
The NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) Screening Programme was developed by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), ensuring it reflects nationally approved screening standards and evidence‑based policy. It was created in collaboration with Public Health England (PHE), leading neonatologists, midwives, GPs, and key professional bodies such as the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Together, these expert groups shaped a high‑quality, authoritative training resource designed to support safe, consistent delivery of newborn and infant physical examination across the NHS.
Our online Critical Appraisal of Healthcare Evidence Modules
- Screening and Informed Choice: Principles of screening, informed consent, and communication.
- Screening for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia: Understanding and identifying hemoglobinopathies.
- Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy: Screening for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.
- Screening for Trisomy 21, 18 and 13: Down’s, Edwards’s, and Patau’s syndromes.
- 20-Week Screening Scan: Detection of fetal anomalies.
- Newborn Blood Spot: Screening for 9 rare, serious conditions.
- Newborn and Infant Physical Examination: Specific modules covering the physical examination of the eyes, heart, hips, and testes.
- Newborn Hearing: Screening to detect hearing loss.
Access 24/7
The NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) Screening Programme course is delivered entirely online, giving you the flexibility to complete the learning at home, in clinical settings or on the move. Each module is short and focused, making it easy to fit training around busy maternity, neonatal or primary care workloads while still progressing steadily.
Sessions are flexible, allowing you to dip in and out whenever you need a refresher on specific parts of the NIPE pathway or support with aspects of the newborn and infant examination. This makes the programme ideal for maintaining confidence in identifying key clinical signs, understanding screening pathways and ensuring safe, consistent practice across the early postnatal period.
After completing the course or individual modules, you can download a completion certificate from the eIntegrity Hub as a record of your learning. While the programme is not CPD‑accredited, the certificate can be retained as evidence of professional development for your portfolio, appraisal or local training requirements.
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Comparing the cost of NIPE training
Traditional newborn‑examination training can be difficult to schedule and may require time away from clinical practice. With the NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) e‑learning programme, you gain online access to a complete set of focused, practical modules for one simple subscription fee. This makes maintaining and updating NIPE knowledge more flexible and cost‑effective than arranging multiple in‑person sessions or standalone refresher days.
How to get started
You can get started by enrolling through the eIntegrity platform, where you can work through the NIPE modules at your own pace. Each unit is short and self‑contained, allowing you to build confidence in the examination process, screening pathway and referral requirements without disrupting your clinical schedule.
Who is this programme suitable for
This course is designed for all healthcare professionals involved in newborn and infant physical examinations, including:
- Midwives
- Neonatal nurses
- Paediatricians
- GPs
- Health visitors
- Screening staff and maternity support staff
- Students and trainees
- Any clinician contributing to newborn screening pathways
The programme supports anyone looking to enhance their understanding of the NIPE pathway, deliver consistent screening practice and strengthen confidence in recognising key clinical signs.
