Advanced Communication Skills

A two day course for health and social care professionals who are regularly involved in complex, difficult or challenging conversations

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT APPLIES UNTIL 02/02/2026

Dates of sessions: 01/06/2026 AND 03/06/2026 - please note you will be required to attend the full hours on both days to receive certification so please ensure this is possible before booking.

Course Overview

This two-day course is facilitated by our highly experienced Clinical Practice Educator, a specialist in palliative care nursing and a certified facilitator in Advanced Communication Skills.

Developed in alignment with national benchmarks and competencies, the course is grounded in the evidence-based Maguire Communication Skills Model. It is designed to enhance participants’ ability to navigate complex communication scenarios with confidence and empathy.

Key areas of focus include:

• Identifying and addressing complex communication challenges
• Managing emotional responses such as anger and distress
• Exploring the impact of communication on patients and their families
• Reflecting on and developing personal communication styles
• Practicing advanced communication techniques in a safe, supportive environment

Participants will engage in interactive, small-group sessions tailored to their individual learning needs. Scenarios will reflect real-world challenges, allowing for practical application and personalised feedback.

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for healthcare professionals and managers who already demonstrate intermediate communication skills and are committed to further developing their practice in emotionally sensitive and highly pressurised situations.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the evidence-base – underpinning advanced communication strategies and best practices
• Evaluate how attitudes, values and beliefs influence communication
• Adapt and personalize communication approaches to meet the unique needs, preferences and circumstances of patients
• Identify and analyse complex communication challenges exploring evidence informed strategies for resolution
• Develop and refine skills through immersive, supportive and psychologically safe learning environments
• Consider integrating and sustaining learning in practice, applying advanced techniques to enhance patient care and team collaboration

We also offer an Intermediate Communication Skills course which is aimed at non-registered for healthcare professionals.

Certification of attendance will be provided.

If paying for this session at the point of booking is an issue, please contact us via education@northdevonhospice.org.uk

Education Booking Terms and Conditions

Bookings

All external bookings are via Eventbrite. They will confirm course registration via email.

1. Transfers and cancellation of training courses

If you cancel a Training Course: Delegates may transfer their registration for one course to another course up to 28 working days prior to the original course date. Only one transfer by any delegate may be made. No refunds are given.

A named delegate may be substituted for another from the same organisation with notification.

If we cancel a Training Course: - we reserve the right to cancel a Training Course at any time, without incurring any additional liability to any delegate. In such circumstances, we will offer alternative dates or when this isn’t available, we will offer a refund.

In these circumstances please email: education@northdevonhospice.org.uk.

2. Confidentiality

Training materials circulated pursuant to the curriculum of that training course remains the property of North Devon Hospice.

North Devon Hospice encourages sharing educational information to persons necessary for the purposes of the relevant training course and for enhancing performance of their duties and that of their peers, however, any information that is of a confidential nature, disclosed by the Hospice or any other attendees shall not be published or shared without express prior written consent.

3. Intellectual property rights

By attending the course, you acknowledge that all intellectual property rights in the Training Materials belong to the North Devon Hospice, unless otherwise acknowledged. These training materials may be used in accordance with this agreement, solely for the purpose of sharing your learning with your colleagues, you have no rights in, or to, the training materials other than to use them for this purpose.

4. Data protection

All information that we hold concerning you will be held and processed by North Devon Hospice strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and our Clinical Governance Record Retentions Standards.

5. Internet access

For virtual events, it will be the attendee’s responsibility to ensure internet band width is suitable for the requirements of the session and an appropriate device is used (e.g. a laptop or PC).

6. Expected Behaviour

All attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner throughout the education session. This includes:

• Treating facilitators, fellow participants, and staff with courtesy and respect.
• Refraining from disruptive behaviour, including excessive talking, use of offensive language, or any actions that interfere with the learning environment.
• Using mobile devices responsibly (e.g., silencing phones and avoiding non-session-related use during the training).
• Complying with any instructions provided by the facilitator regarding health, safety, and session participation.

Failure to adhere to these standards may result in removal from the session without refund and, where necessary, reporting to the relevant organisation.

7. Our right to vary these terms and conditions

We have the right to revise and amend these terms and conditions when required.