Advanced Communication Skills

Course description

The Advanced Communication Skills course at St Luke’s Hospice is a comprehensive two-day programme designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their ability to communicate with clarity, compassion, and confidence in complex situations.

This course supports the development of high-level communication skills required to manage emotionally charged, ethically sensitive, and information-heavy conversations with patients, families, and colleagues across a range of care settings.

Participants will benefit from a safe and supportive learning space, enabling reflection on personal communication styles and the opportunity to practise and refine skills with guidance from experienced facilitators.

Course benefits

  • Develop advanced skills in managing complex and sensitive conversations

  • Build confidence in delivering difficult or distressing information with empathy and clarity

  • Enhance ability to respond effectively to emotional distress, conflict, and uncertainty

  • Strengthen communication strategies for shared decision-making and patient-centred care

  • Learn techniques to support personal resilience and professional wellbeing

  • Practise skills in a supportive environment with expert feedback

Course facilitators

This course is facilitated by Leigh Evans, Clinical Facilitator, and Dr Hannah McLoughlin, Deputy Medical Director & Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Leigh Evans qualified as a nurse in 2012 and has specialised in palliative care for the past ten years. She joined St Luke’s five years ago and has supported the Community Team, contributed to Project ECHO, and spent the last three years as a Clinical Facilitator within the Learning and Development Team. Passionate about education and lifelong learning, Leigh works closely with clinical teams while remaining involved in patient care. She has completed an advanced communication course and is trained to teach advanced communication skills, supporting clinicians to navigate complex and sensitive conversations with confidence.

Dr Hannah McLoughlin with over 12 years of clinical experience and 4 years in senior leadership as Deputy Medical Director is, deeply committed to improving patient and family outcomes through compassionate, effective communication particularly in the context of serious illness, end of life care, and grief.

Hannah is experienced and qualified in designing and facilitating advanced communication training for healthcare professionals, with a focus on practical, evidence-informed approaches that translate directly into clinical practice and enhance patient care.

Payment terms

All course fees must be paid prior to attendance. Standard payment terms are 30 days from the date of invoice, or before the start of the course if the course date falls sooner.

Cancellation Policy

Please note that once a booking has been made and payment received, course fees are non-refundable.

KEY INFORMATION

Suitable for:

  • Healthcare professionals who regularly manage complex, emotionally charged, or sensitive conversations.

Course type:

Face to face

Delivery mode:

Classroom

Location:

St Luke's Ecclesall Road South Site,
Ecclesall Road South,
Sheffield, S11 9PX

Duration:

2 Days

Cost:

£500

Catering facilities:

Lunch included in course fees

Application status:

Open

Available dates:

Our courses

Read more about the courses we have available by visiting the main Wilkes webpage below. To speak to us about partnering on a new course, or support with course delivery please email wilkes@hospicesheffield.co.uk

Education and Courses

Contact us

To get in touch about the St Luke's Wilkes Institute, speak to us about partnering on a new course, or to support with course delivery, please email us at wilkes@hospicesheffield.co.uk

Get in touch

Available Dates

Start Date Start Time End Date End Time Location Status Book now
20/10/2026 09:00 21/10/2026 16:00 St Luke's Ecclesall Road South Site,
Ecclesall Road South,
Sheffield, S11 9PX
Open Apply
01/12/2026 09:00 02/12/2026 16:00 The Wilkes Institute Learning Hub, St Luke's Hospice, Little Common Lane, Sheffield, S11 9NE Open Apply