Short Courses and Study Days

We offer a wide range of short courses and study days. These can be tailored to a range of audiences including Health-care professionals, admin and clerical staff and those working in private and charity sectors. We run our most popular courses several times a year as well as one-off courses. Please select the individual events below to find out more.  

If you would like a bespoke course for your team, please get in touch at plh-tr.cancereducationhub@nhs.net to discuss.

Acute Oncology Service (AOS) study day

Who it is for 

It is aimed at all health care professionals including (but not exclusively) to Drs, GPs, Nurses, ACPs, AHPs. 

What to expect   

A full day of study led by the UHP AOS team.

Topics Covered

This study day aims to update on current treatments, and what is coming in the future, Immunotherapy and potential side effects (including long term), the management of new malignancies through ED, the role of the AOS service, and oncology emergencies.

Prices  

Free for all UHP staff

Date and place  

Dates for 2025 to be announced soon

Contact us  

If interested please email shirleyharker@nhs.net  to reserve your place now, with name, job role and contact details.  

Advanced Communication Skills - 2 Day Workshop

Who it is for  

Registered members of staff at a senior or experienced level who have undertaken the Foundation Level Communication Skills (or equivalent). This workshop has been developed to enhance the healthcare professional’s ability to deal with challenging communication situations.  

What to expect  

Building on the learner’s sound baseline level of communication skills knowledge, facilitators will challenge and building the learners capacity for nuanced communication practice.  

  • Run in small groups (maximum of 10)

  • Based on the work by the Maguire Communication Skills Unit

  • Navigate complex and sensitive conversations

  • Deliver difficult news with clarity and compassion

  • Interactive simulation with expert facilitators and actors

  • Replaces our previous 1 day courses 'breaking bad news' and 'advanced communication' 

Prices  

Cost of £450. University Hospitals Plymouth staff places will be funded by the Trust.

Date and place  

Thursday 7 to Friday 8 August 2025, 9am to 5pm. Venue: Market Hall, Plymouth, PL1 4PS.

Wednesday 1 to Thursday 2 October 2025, 9am to 5pm. Venue: Market Hall, Plymouth, PL1 4PS.

Contact us  

If you would like to attend a course or have further questions, please contact plh-tr.cancereducationhub@nhs.net  

Cancer Care Essentials

Who it is for

Aimed at people in non-clinical roles within Cancer care including administrator's, receptionists, charity workers and volunteers. 

What to expect 

A full study day giving an overview of the biology of cancer, the patient pathway and cancer treatments. The course aims to give essential knowledge for those working with in cancer in non-clinical roles. This will enable you to interact more effectively with patients and the friends and family who support them. The day is interactive and engaging with active learning. 

Topics Covered

  • Understanding Cancer

  • The Cancer Pathway

  • Own wellbeing

  • An overview of Cancer treatments including Surgery, Radiotherapy and SACT

  • Introduction to Communication skills

Prices

Cost of £100. University Hospitals Plymouth staff places will be funded by the Trust.

Date and place

Wednesday 2 July 2025, 9am to 4.30pm. Venue: Market Hall, Plymouth, PL1 4PS.

Thursday 16 October 2025, 9am to 4.30pm. Venue: Market Hall, Plymouth, PL1 4PS.

More dates to follow.

Contact us 

If you would like to attend a course or have further questions please contact plh-tr.cancereducationhub@nhs.net  

Cancer Care Pro

Who it is for  

Aimed at Healthcare professions working in Cancer Care including Cancer support workers, nurses, AHPs, pharmacists, physicists, psychologists and doctors.    

What to expect  

A full study day giving an overview of the biology of cancer, the patient pathway and cancer treatments. The course aims to equip those working within cancer with a detailed overview of cancer care. We aim to make the day interactive and engaging with active learning.    

Topics Covered

  • The Science of Cancer

  • The Cancer Pathway

  • Own wellbeing

  • An overview of Cancer treatments including Surgery, Radiotherapy and SACT

Prices

Cost of £100. University Hospitals Plymouth staff places will be funded by the Trust.

Date and place

Monday 14 July 2025, 9am to 4.30pm. Venue: Market Hall, Plymouth, PL1 4PS. 

Friday 10 October 2025, 9am to 4.30pm. Venue: Market Hall, Plymouth, PL1 4PS.

More dates to follow.

Contact us

If you would like to attend a course or have further questions, please contact plh-tr.cancereducationhub@nhs.net  

Foundation Communication Skills - 1 Day Workshop

Who it is for  

Suitable to all those who work in healthcare or related areas of practice. Whist several of the facilitators have a background in oncology and end of life care, these study days are suitable for CNS’s, support staff, community workers, primary care colleagues, AHPs, Drs and Consultants.  

What to expect  

Combining facilitator delivered content, small groupwork, group simulated scenario, video presentation and time to discuss challenges to effective communication practice. Also covers reflection on our communication skills and building confidence in supporting effective communication in the workplace (with colleagues, carers or patients).  

Topics Covered

  • Build confidence in patient interactions

  • Understand emotional responses in healthcare settings

  • Interactive learning

  • Two experienced facilitators

  • Learn core techniques for clear and compassionate communication

Prices

Cost of £150. University Hospitals Plymouth staff places will be funded by the Trust.  

Date and place 

Wednesday 3 September 2025, 9am to 5pm. Venue: Market Hall, Plymouth, PL1 4PS.

More dates to follow

Contact us

If you would like to attend a course or have further questions, please contact plh-tr.cancereducationhub@nhs.net  

Immunotherapy Study Day

Who it is for  

Healthcare professionals who provide care for patients undergoing immunotherapy including Doctors, nurses, AHPs and Pharmacists.  

What to expect  

A full day of study led by Nicola Jones (Lead Immunotherapy CNS ) to build knowledge on immunotherapy.

Topics Covered

Learners will gain knowledge of the mode of action of immunotherapy, early identification and management of immune related and adverse events. Varied speakers including experts from dermatology, hepatology and endocrinology.  

Prices  

Cost of £100. Places for staff within the Peninsula Cancer Alliance will be funded.  

Date and place  

Dates to be announced soon. 

Contact us  

If you would like to attend a course or have further questions, please contact plh-tr.cancereducationhub@nhs.net  

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Study Day

Who is it for?

For anyone who is interested in lung cancer/mesothelioma. 

What to Expect

A full day of interactive, engaging learning, featuring:

  • Updates on legal perspective in asbestos related disease.

  • Diagnostics and treatments for mesothelioma

  • Diagnostics and treatment for lung cancer. 

Prices

Free to all attendees

Date and Place 

Dates to be announced soon.

Contact Us

If you would like to attend a course or have further questions please contact Christine Jones on christine.jones34@nhs.net or 0780817218

Oncology Lunch and Learn

Who It's For

The Oncology Lunch and Learn is designed for UHPT staff working in oncology, including Nurses, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), Cancer support workers and any staff interested in expanding their knowledge in cancer care.

What to Expect

Join us every 6 weeks for an engaging one-hour learning session during your lunch break. Each session will feature a different topic focused on oncology, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge. Feel free to bring your own lunch and participate in person in the Mustard Tree Training Room or virtually via MS Teams.

Topics Covered

The topics will vary each session and may include:

  • Innovations in cancer treatments and therapies

  • Best practices for oncology patient management

  • Effective communication techniques in oncology care

  • Recent advancements in immunotherapy

  • Handling oncology-related emergencies

Pricing

Free for all staff at University Hospitals Plymouth.

Date and Time

Oncology Lunch and Learn sessions will be held every 6 weeks between 1pm and 2pm in the Mustard Tree Training Room at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, with the option to join via MS Teams for those participating remotely. Specific dates and times will be announced in advance.

Contact Us

To register or if you have any questions, please contact us at plh-tr.cancereducationhub@nhs.net 

Safe Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Prescribers Study Day

Who it is for   

Aimed at doctors new to Haematology or Oncology who will be prescribing Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT), as well as pharmacists and Non-Medical Prescribers intending to prescribe SACT as part of their role.

What to expect   

Presentations will be delivered by various members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including Consultants, Registrars, Pharmacists, and Specialist Nurses. The day aims to enhance your confidence and understanding of the complex SACT prescribing process. Participants will be able to discuss specific issues and have the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the South West Peninsula. 

Topics Covered

  • Cell cycle and chemotherapy

  • Practical aspects of chemotherapy prescribing & dose calculations

  • Management of SACT side effects

  • SACT protocol development

  • Biological therapies – NIBs and MABs

  • Immunotherapy – Checkpoint Inhibitors

  • Safe SACT administration – extravasation & line management

Prices

Cost of £75. University Hospitals Plymouth staff places will be funded by the Trust.  

Date and place

Tuesday 6 May 2025, 9am to 5pm. Venue: Postgraduate Medical Centre, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth PL6 8DH

Contact us

If you would like to attend this course or have further questions, please contact kirsty.ainslie@nhs.net

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