Our courses

We provide a full programme of tailored training throughout the year – all available at our fully-equipped learning environments in Telford and Shrewsbury.

To attend one of the courses below, please use the booking form to reserve your place. Any payments required help fund both the training and our caring services. Please note; there will be an increase in course fees from 1 September 2023.

Courses

Palliative Care Emergencies

A study day looking at the different types of palliative care emergencies patients may experience including spinal cord compression and catastrophic bleed.

Changing the Narrative – Communication Skills

A study day that looks at the theory and practice of effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills, especially in discussing advance care planning.

Please consider a communication scenario that you have found challenging/positive in practice and be prepared to discuss and share with the group. Actors (simulated patients) will be present to assist with the development of communication skills. Role play will be encouraged but is not mandatory.

Symptom Management

A study day that looks at pain, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting, and agitation. We will be covering both the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management for these symptoms.

Introduction to Complementary Therapy

We will explain what Complementary Therapies are, how they work, which ones we use at the hospice and how they can benefit palliative care patients and their families. Parts of the session involving Aromatherapy may be interactive.

Lymphoedema

This course is an introduction to lymphoedema, from anatomy and physiology to starting basic treatment, going through principles and treatment with some hands-on practice.

Bereavement

This course will focus on the theory and experience of loss and bereavement and the afternoon will be an interactive session using case studies and activities, and we will cover how to support the bereaved person.

Oral Care in Palliative and End-of-Life care

This session is an opportunity to develop a good understanding of the principle of oral care during the palliative and end-of-life phase of life.

We look at the varying factors that can affect oral care and look at the importance of assessing the individual needs in relation to oral care.

There will be opportunities to learn through group and practical sessions.

Marie Curie competencies in spiritual & religious care, Level 1 & 2

These competencies have been developed with an understanding of spiritual care in its broadest sense. It is acknowledged that spirituality includes whatever gives a person meaning, value and worth in their life.

Spirituality and religion are clearly distinguished: religion can be an important part in a person’s spirituality but how important, if at all, will depend on the individual. Although spiritual care is traditionally seen as the chaplain’s area of expertise these competencies assume that all staff
and volunteers can and do provide spiritual care.

Level 1 & 2 competency covers understanding the spiritual dimension of care and building communication with patients and includes an oral assessment outside the teaching session.

Marie Curie competencies in spiritual & religious care, Level 3

These competencies have been developed with an understanding of spiritual care in its broadest sense. It is acknowledged that spirituality includes whatever gives a person meaning, value and worth in their life.

Spirituality and religion are clearly distinguished: religion can be an important part in a person’s spirituality but how important, if at all, will depend on the individual. Although spiritual care is traditionally seen as the chaplain’s area of expertise these competencies assume that all staff and volunteers can and do provide spiritual care.

Level 3 competency will cover assessing spiritual needs and appropriate referral.

Syringe Pumps for beginners

This course is aimed at Registered nurses (RGN’s) only. This is a hands-on course that focuses on an introduction to the use of a syringe Pump for the novice and cover all aspects its use in practice. This practical will include all do’s and don’ts and an overview of appropriate drugs use will also be part of the session.

Syringe Pump update

This course is aimed at Registered nurses (RGN’s) only. Do you feel a bit rusty using a syringe pump, when did you last set up a syringe pump? If you have not done this within the last six – twelve months this course will help keep your skills updated. This session is a hands-on practical and update covering the use of a syringe pump. It assumes you have previously attended a beginners’ session and/or have used a syringe pump and include an overview of its use, setting up and troubleshooting. Drugs used will also be included.

Verification of an Expected Adult Death

This session is for trained staff who verify death as part of their role and applies to ward, the community and nursing homes. If you are a healthcare assistant and you are required to verify an expected death in your work area please send your company policy to support your application in order to attend this course. This course will include local policy and a demonstration of the practical skills necessary. A certificate of competence will be given at the end of this session once competence has been demonstrated and attained.

Palliative Care for Health Care/Nursing Assistants

This course consists of SEVEN half day sessions. All these sessions MUST be attended.

These are half days aimed at looking at various areas within palliative care. Topics looked at will include:

• Non-pharmacological management of symptoms.
• Communication Advance Care Planning/ReSPECT
• Hydration and nutrition
• Spirituality, bereavement support
• Palliative Care and other conditions.

You will be asked to provide piece of reflection towards the end of the course regarding how you feel attending the course will impact your care in the future.’

The course costs £275 in total.

Palliative care for HCAs/Nursing Assistants – Telford

Learning Disability and Autism at End of Life

This study day is for any healthcare and social professional who are interested in developing their understanding around end-of-life care for individuals with a Learning Disability.

What will you learn?

Evidence has demonstrated that individuals with a Learning Disability are four times more likely to die from treatable causes.

Some of the areas we will cover include:

• Caring for individuals with a learning Disability at end-of-life, including some of the symptoms they may face
• Identify the barriers we may face when providing high quality of end-of-life care
• The importance of communication, both verbal and non-verbal, including how their individual behaviours may be the result of a symptom/anxiety/fear/ anger
• How we can support their families and their friends when the individual is approaching end-of-life or following their death

More courses will be added throughout the year so keep an eye on the website. If you can’t see the course you need, please get in touch as we may be able to add it.