Our Advanced Communications Skills is a two- day training course for registered nurses contributing to the palliative care of Adults and Children.

Northern Ireland Hospice are not running any ACST Training courses for external candidates until further notice.

Should you wish to undertake this training please link with you ACST facilitator in your trust or email Sharon.mccloskey@southerntrust.hscni.net

The aims of this course are:

• To increase participants awareness of their own communication skills
• To demonstrate the importance of good communication skills
• To explore strategies for improving health and social care professionals’ skills when communicating with patients, relatives and colleagues.

The aims of this course are:

• To develop an awareness of the evidence bases concerning optimal communication skills
• To utilize appropriate communication skills and strategies required to handle difficult situations
• Tailor complex information to meet the needs of patients, children and families
• Reflect upon and critically appraise their own communication skills.

Additional information

Each participant will be required to undertake a role play based on a previous encounter with a person, relative or colleague. This will be video recorded and reviewed to enhance participant learning.

Due to the focus and reflective nature of this course, practitioners are advised to contact the course facilitator if they have had a significant trauma or bereavement in the last 6-9 months.