As a valued supporter we really want to keep you posted about news and events across St Gemma’s and to share how your support benefits local patients and their families. If you would like to receive email updates please click to sign up to our mailing list.
Course Content
Develop the confidence and skills to manage complex clinical conversations.
This highly interactive 1½-day workshop is designed for experienced health and social care professionals who regularly have challenging or emotionally sensitive conversations with patients and families.
Working in a small, supportive group, you will explore evidence-based communication approaches and practise applying them to realistic situations with experienced facilitators and simulated patients. You will receive constructive, personalised feedback and have opportunities to work on scenarios relevant to your own clinical role.
What will I gain from the course?
By the end of the workshop, you will have developed greater confidence and practical skills in:
- Structuring complex conversations using the Cambridge–Calgary model
- Recognising and responding effectively to verbal and non-verbal cues
- Exploring patients’ and families’ concerns
- Responding sensitively to strong emotions, including distress, anger, withdrawal and uncertainty
- Sharing difficult information and discussing prognosis
- Managing challenging conversations while maintaining compassion and professional boundaries
- Applying advanced communication skills directly within your own clinical practice.
In-depth pre- and post-course evaluations consistently show that participants leave the course feeling more confident across a wide range of advanced communication skills.
Eligibility Criteria
The course is suitable for senior doctors, nurses and health and social care professionals at Band 6 or above who communicate with people affected by non-curative illness, including cancer, non-malignant disease and long-term conditions.
It is particularly valuable for professionals who manage complex, uncertain or emotionally challenging conversations as part of their role.
Dates & Key Information
Session features
The workshop combines:
- Expert teaching and facilitated discussion
- Evidence-based communication frameworks
- Demonstrations of effective communication skills
- Realistic practice with experienced simulated patients
- Individual, constructive feedback in a safe and supportive learning environment.
Courses are delivered either fully online or through a blended format, with the first session on Zoom and the second day face to face at St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds.
Advanced Communication Skills Training Dates September 2026 – March 2027
| Dates | Location |
| Monday 21st (9am – 1pm) & Tuesday 22nd September 2026 (9am – 4pm) | First session on Zoom; second day face to face at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds |
| Wednesday 7th (9am – 1pm) & Thursday 8th October 2026 (9am – 4pm) | Both sessions delivered virtually via Zoom |
| Wednesday 11th (9am – 1pm) & Thursday 12th November 2026 (9am – 4pm) | First session on Zoom; second day face to face at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds |
| Tuesday 8th (9am – 1pm) & Wednesday 9th December 2026 (9am – 4pm) | First session on Zoom; second day face to face at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds |
| Monday 25th (9am – 1pm) & Tuesday 26th January 2027 (9am – 4pm) | Both sessions delivered virtually via Zoom |
| Tuesday 23rd (9am – 1pm) & Wednesday 24th February 2027 (9am – 4pm) | First session on Zoom; second day face to face at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds |
| Tuesday 30th (9am – 1pm) & Wednesday 31st March 2027 (9am – 4pm) | First session on Zoom; second day face to face at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds |
Register Your Interest
Choose the course dates that interest you and complete the form below. If you have any accessibility requirements or particular learning needs, please include these in the message box.