Really enjoyed the course, even though role play was scary! I’ve been putting my new skills into practice and on Friday had a daughter of a palliative patient follow me out to car and say I was first nurse who they felt understood their situation and had really listened, I was so pleased! (2024)

I am a Deputy Sister working on an Upper GI and Hepatobiliary unit and I look after many patient with cancer. I attended the two day advanced communication skills course run by Macmillan; and in my 15 years of nursing, it was the best course I have ever done. I left the two days feeling… Read more “I left the two days feeling so inspired”

I think having 2 actors in a session to create a ‘3-way’ consultation is essential. My role play included a 9 year old + father. This would not have been possible with only 1 actor

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would recommend it to all professionals who have to have any sort of difficult conversation with children, families or even colleagues! The course was extremely revealing and has boosted my communication confidence greatly! The idea of being videoed was scary but ended up being a valuable reflective tool!

The 2 day advanced communication course is the most worthwhile course I have ever been on. I found it an extremely powerful learning experience with immediate beneficial results. I strongly recommend that all health professionals have this learning opportunity.

I have certainly benefitted from the ACST course. What I valued most was as follows: Effective use of professional actors. They really made the role play real and allowed me to “practice” in a safe environment. It was certainly the closest thing I could get to having feedback from a real-life situation The course helped… Read more “What I valued most was…”

I thought I was fine at communicating prior to the course but have found that the skills that I learnt invaluable. They’ve made the difference in a wide range of situations and I think have made the biggest improvement in my medical practice of any course. Some examples are: • I’ve noticed the difference in… Read more “I’ve noticed the difference in…”

I thoroughly enjoyed learning communication techniques during the advanced communication skills course. I’ve recommended it to everyone I work with! It’s well structured and gives principles then opportunity to practice with video feedback and help from your course buddies in a friendly and safe environment.

“This has been one of the most profound learning experiences I have had. I’m sure I could come twice a year and still learn new things”

“The pre-course nerves quickly disappeared as the commitment to providing a safe and constructive environment became so quickly evident. It was then possible to really enjoy the opportunity to learn from other professionals and disciplines and explore scenarios that we all felt to be challenging. I took away some incredibly valuable lessons and skills and… Read more “Pre-course nerves”

“I would strongly recommend this course as a foundation for developing communication skills and as a refresher for experienced practitioners to reflect on their current practice. The actors were spot on in their portrayal of every situation that was put to them. The course helped me to reflect on how others could interpret my communication… Read more “Strongly recommend”