Effective Communication in Cancer Care

Effective communication in cancer care is designed to strengthen your communication skills when supporting people living with cancer. You’ll learn practical tools to build strong relationships and foster trust, by communicating with clarity, compassion, and confidence

• Type of Learning: E-learning
• Provider: Macmillan Cancer Support
• Link: Effective communication in cancer care promotional page – Macmillan

Essential Communication Skills

Essential Communication Skills contains a number of short eLearning courses which are designed to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence when working with people. Explores effective communication skills, active listening, different listening and questioning skills, barriers to communication and difficult conversations.

• Type of Learning: E-learning
• Provider: Macmillan Cancer Support
• Link: Macmillan (fuseuniversal.com)

Communication Skills

This course describes the principles of communication, the way in which different communication behaviours can facilitate or block communication, and how to effectively communicate through different media, such as the telephone or in writing. The second part of this course focuses on specific communication situations in approaching the end of life.

• Type of Learning: E-learning
• Provider: E-learning for Health
• Link: HEE elfh Hub (e-lfh.org.uk)

Health Coaching

We can offer any staff who have regular contact with cancer patients access to accredited Health Coaching Skills training, which will equip you with conversational skills to support person-centred care and self-management for patients. This includes staff working in hospitals, palliative care, or other cancer support services in Wessex.

The training will give you the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the principles of health coaching and behaviour change, while providing a practical set of tools that you can apply immediately within your work.

The programme is delivered as two separate day-long workshops, spaced one to two weeks apart to allow for practicing newly acquired skills. It is highly interactive with an emphasis on skill practice and development. It will also allow participants to discuss applications of health coaching within their everyday work.

Please follow this link for further details: Health Coaching Training

Sage & Thyme

The SAGE & THYME® Foundation Level workshop (S&T FL), and the equivalent SAGE & THYME Online workshop, teaches clinical and non-clinical staff at all levels, evidence-based communication skills to provide person-centred support to someone with emotional concerns using the SAGE & THYME structure.

• Type of Learning: Virtual Classroom
• Provider: Sage & Thyme
• Time to Complete: 4 hours
• Link: Macmillan (fuseuniversal.com)

Enhanced Communication Skills Training (ECST) for the Supportive and Assistive Workforce

We have partnered with Frontline Communication to provide this course for the cancer workforce across Wessex. Frontline Communication specialise in the delivery of communication skills and emotional intelligence training in healthcare. If you are interested in applying for a place on one of these courses, please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

This course equips the Supportive and Assistive Workforce with practical tools to deliver truly personalised care, in line with the NHS ACCEND framework. Through interactive learning, participants develop skills to recognise and reduce blocking behaviours, apply structured approaches to communication, and learn how to explain professional boundaries and referrals clearly and compassionately. Using group discussions, experiential learning, and bespoke role-play scenarios, the course provides a safe space to practise and build confidence, ensuring staff can support patients and families with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.

Dates for 2026: Wednesday 13th May (Bournemouth, venue to be confirmed); Thursday 1st October (online via Zoom)

Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between purpose-led and agenda-led conversations and apply this understanding to patient and carer interactions.
• Apply a clear conversation structure to enhance clarity, flow, and patient-centred outcomes.
• Identify and manage blocking behaviours that may limit effective communication.
• Strategies to respond to emotional cues from patients and families, showing empathy and compassion.
• Practise skills in safe, experiential learning environments (e.g. forum theatre) to build confidence for real-world conversations.
• Enhance confidence in managing challenging conversations with patients, families, or colleagues.

Elevating Your Voice Within Your MDT

We have partnered with Frontline Communication to provide this course for the cancer workforce across Wessex. Frontline Communication specialise in the delivery of communication skills and emotional intelligence training in healthcare. If you are interested in applying for a place on one of these courses, please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

An interactive webinar designed to help Healthcare Professionals build confidence and clarity in team communication. Using practical models such as the Drama Triangle, the Empowerment Dynamic, and the Thinking Environment, participants learn how to shift unhelpful dynamics, structure conversations effectively, and balance purpose with agenda. Through reflection and a demonstration role-play the course empowers staff to contribute more confidently to MDT discussions and enhance patient-centred care.

Dates and Times:

• Monday 23rd March 2026 – 12:00-1.30pm
• Friday 8th May 2026 – 12:00-1.30pm

Format: On-line via Zoom

Learning Outcomes

• Recognise unhelpful communication dynamics (e.g., Drama Triangle) and practise shifting to empowered approaches using the Empowerment Dynamic.
• Apply the principles of the Thinking Environment to enhance listening, equality, and clarity in team discussions.
• Structure conversations effectively, balancing personal purpose with team agendas to improve outcomes.
• Demonstrate core communication skills such as active listening, empathy, summarising, and asking open questions in MDT interactions.
• Build confidence in contributing to MDT discussions by practising communication strategies in safe, experiential scenarios.

No Conversation Too Tough (Supportive & Assistive Workforce)

We have partnered with the Ruth Struss Foundation in order to offer this course in Wessex. If you are interested in applying for a place please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

This online course equips the supportive and assistive workforce with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support parents with an incurable cancer diagnosis to have challenging conversations with their children about death and dying.

Dates in 2026:

• Friday 24th April
• Friday 10th July

Format: Online

Enhanced Communication Skills – Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance

We are pleased to offer access for the cancer care workforce across Wessex to the AI Communication Skills training at enhanced and advanced levels, developed by Greater Manchester Cancer Academy. The training is of a very high standard with a two-hour online module followed up with experiential AI-driven simulations using practical scenarios with realistic avatars.

The current enhanced communication skills scenarios are:

• Holistic Needs Assessment
• Lifestyle Changes
• There are three additional scenarios currently in development that will be live in November that people will also have access to

The training can be accessed for a year after the member of staff registers, which means that they can repeat the scenarios in a safe space and track their progress and demonstrate their progress to their line manager.

If you are interested in securing a place on the enhanced communication skills training package, please acquire the support of your line manager and then send your details (name, role, Trust) to wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

Enhanced Communication Skills Training (ECST) for the Registered Workforce Supporting People with Cancer

We have partnered with Frontline Communication to provide this course for the cancer workforce across Wessex. Frontline Communication specialise in the delivery of communication skills and emotional intelligence training in healthcare. If you are interested in applying for a place on one of these courses, please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

This course provides HCPs (Band 4–6) with the communication skills needed to support patients and families throughout the cancer journey. Aligned with the NHS ACCEND framework, it focuses on building confidence in balancing purpose-led conversations with patient needs, applying structured approaches to communication, and recognising behaviours that either enable or block meaningful dialogue. Through interactive discussion, experiential exercises, and bespoke role-play scenarios, participants will learn to manage difficult conversations, provide compassionate emotional support, and improve patient experience and care coordination across diverse settings.

Date and Time: to be confirmed – keep an eye on our events calendar

Format: On-line via Zoom

Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between purpose-led and agenda-led conversations to ensure patient and family voices are central in care discussions.
• Apply structured communication approaches to explain treatments, manage symptoms, and coordinate care effectively with patients and colleagues.
• Recognise and reduce blocking behaviours to improve trust, openness, and continuity of care.
• Respond empathetically to emotional cues and strong emotions from patients and carers, strengthening psychological and emotional support.
• Practise communication strategies in safe, experiential settings (e.g., forum theatre, case-based scenarios) to prepare for sensitive conversations such as treatment decisions, symptom management, or signposting to support services.
• Enhance confidence in their role as a key point of contact and coordinator, supporting patients and families with clarity, compassion, and professionalism.

Enhanced Communication Skills Training (ECST) for SACT Nurses

We have partnered with Frontline Communication to provide this course for the cancer workforce across Wessex. Frontline Communication specialise in the delivery of communication skills and emotional intelligence training in healthcare. If you are interested in applying for a place on one of these courses, please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

This course equips SACT nurses with advanced communication strategies to support patients and families through complex cancer treatment journeys, while also strengthening leadership and collaboration within the MDT. Aligned with the NHS ACCEND framework, the programme blends practical models, group discussions, and experiential role-play to help participants manage difficult conversations with confidence, empathy, and professionalism. The course provides a safe and engaging space for nurses to refine skills that directly enhance patient personalised care delivery.

Date and Time: Monday 15th June 2026

Format: On-line via Zoom

Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between purpose-led and agenda-led conversations to improve shared decision-making and patient-centred care during cancer treatment discussions.
• Apply structured conversation approaches to support clarity when educating patients and families about systemic anti-cancer therapies, side effects, and safety measures.
• Recognise and manage blocking behaviours in themselves and others to foster open dialogue and effective collaboration within the MDT.
• Respond confidently to emotional cues and strong emotions from patients and carers, demonstrating compassion while maintaining clinical leadership.
• to MDT discussions, supporting colleagues and mentoring junior staff in effective communication practices.

Telephone Communication Skills Training

We have partnered with Frontline Communication to provide this course for the cancer workforce across Wessex. Frontline Communication specialise in the delivery of communication skills and emotional intelligence training in healthcare. If you are interested in applying for a place on one of these courses, please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

This course equips Healthcare Professionals with the skills and confidence to deliver effective, compassionate, and structured telephone consultations. Participants explore the challenges of remote communication and learn practical tools such as the Thinking Environment, conversation structures, and facilitating behaviours. Through role-play, reflection, and interactive exercises, the course builds confidence in managing strong emotions, creating purposeful conversations, and ensuring patients and relatives feel heard, respected, and supported.

Date and Time: Wednesday 20th May 2026

Format: On-line via Zoom

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the unique challenges of telephone consultations and apply strategies to overcome barriers such as lack of body language and rapport.
• Use a structured approach to conversations, balancing the patient’s agenda with professional purpose.
• Apply the Ten Components of the Thinking Environmentto enhance listening, empathy, and equality in communication.
• Demonstrate facilitating skills (e.g., open questions, active listening, summarising) while avoiding blocking behaviours.
• Respond effectively to emotional cues and strong emotions, fostering trust and compassion in patient and relative interactions.

Emotive Conversations in Health and Social Care

This is a blend of e-learning and facilitated discussion, rehearsal and other activities designed to build the skills and behaviours required to adopt a tender approach to these emotive conversations.

Prerequisites: essential level communication e.g. SAGE&THYME, communications skills e-learning or equivalent

• Type of Learning: Virtual – blended
• Provider: Macmillan Cancer Support
• Time to Complete: 3.5 hours
• Link: Macmillan (fuseuniversal.com)

No Conversation Too Tough (Ruth Strauss Foundation)

We have partnered with the Ruth Struss Foundation in order to offer this course in Wessex. If you are interested in applying for a place please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk

This course equips healthcare professionals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to support parents with an incurable cancer diagnosis to have challenging conversations with their children about death and dying.

The programme is designed primarily for cancer nurse specialists and palliative care nurses, but other HCPs working in any discipline involving pre-bereavement support or where the themes and topics might be relevant are welcome.

Dates in 2026:

• Thursday 30th April – Southampton
• Thursday 16th July – Bournemouth

Format:

There are two elements to the programme:

1. A pre-course e-learning unit which takes around two hours to complete and provides a solid foundation for the theories and practice explored in the workshop
2. A workshop held over a full day, from 09:00 to 16:30

Advanced Communication Skills – Wessex Cancer Alliance

Supported through NHSE Cancer & Diagnostics education grants, we are currently able to fund experienced cancer clinical nurse specialists (band 6 and above) to undertake the 2-day experiential Advanced Communication Skills Training (ACST) Course. This is considered the gold standard of communications skills training for the cancer workforce.

Due to funding restrictions, we are currently unable to fund places on this course for health care professionals who are not cancer clinical nurse specialists.

The face-to-face course in Wessex supports senior cancer nurses to enhance their communication skills in more challenging scenarios such as:

• breaking bad news
• shared decision making
• transition to palliative care

These 2-day, experiential courses are led by experienced, trained facilitators and actors.

It is essential that all course participants already have an enhanced level of communications skills to ensure that both individuals and other group members have the optimum learning from this advanced level course.

Dates for 2026:

• Tuesday 3^rd and Wednesday 4^th March
• Tuesday 31^st March and Wednesday 1^st April
• Tuesday 23^rd & Wednesday 24^th June
• Thursday 9^th & Friday 10^th of July
• Monday 7^th & Tuesday 8^th September
• Tuesday 20^th & Wednesday 21^st October
• Tuesday 8^th & Wednesday 9^th December

If you are interested in registering for this course, please email wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk and we will send you an application form.

All application forms need to be completed fully and signed by the Lead Cancer Nurse for the Trust prior to submission, so that places are appropriately prioritised for the cancer nursing workforce.

Advanced Communication Skills – Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance

We are pleased to offer access for the cancer care workforce across Wessex to the AI Communication Skills training at enhanced and advanced levels, developed by Greater Manchester Cancer Academy. The training is of a very high standard with a two-hour online module followed up with experiential AI-driven simulations using practical scenarios with realistic avatars.

The current enhanced communication skills scenarios are:

• Holistic Needs Assessment
• Lifestyle Changes
• There are three additional scenarios currently in development that will be live in November that people will also have access to

For the advanced communication skills training package, the enhanced scenarios above are included, in addition to:

• Breaking bad news
• De-escalation and conflict management (Carer conversation)
• three scenarios on conversations about research and trials (going live in November)
• three additional scenarios in progress that will be live in December / Jan that will be added into access packages –they are likely to be around metastatic disease, sex, intimacy and relationships, LD

The training can be accessed for a year after the member of staff registers, which means that they can repeat the scenarios in a safe space and track their progress and demonstrate their progress to their line manager.

If you are interested in securing a place on the advanced communication skills training packages, please acquire the support of your line manager and then send your details (name, role, Trust) to wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk