Mid-Tier Programme

Enhanced Communication Skills Training (ECST)

The UK's most relevant set of focused communication skills training courses for healthcare. Designed for mid-tier and junior staff across all roles and disciplines.

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Focused Training for Specific Needs

Our growing list of mid-tier communication skills training is rapidly becoming the most relevant set of training courses in healthcare. Each title is initially developed in partnership with a healthcare client, piloted, and then offered to our wider client base.

Whether your training needs are driven from patient feedback, complaints, staff concerns, management considerations, or wholesale planned culture change, we can provide communication training from singular focused courses to wide-reaching multi-faceted programmes across all staff levels.

Blended Learning Option

E-Learning + 1-Day Workshop

  • 10+ bite-sized training videos
  • Reflection questions & questionnaire
  • 2-3 hours commitment, 1 month prior
  • 1-day workshop (9am - 4:30pm)
  • 14 participants per course

Workshop Features:

  • • Online or in-person delivery
  • • Group role-play demonstrations
  • • 3 staff: Facilitators & Actor
  • • Tailored to group needs

Workshop Only Option

1-Day Workshop

  • No pre-course e-learning required
  • Focused single-day training
  • 9am - 4:30pm (online or in-person)
  • 14 participants per course
  • Immediate impact training

Workshop Features:

  • • Online or in-person delivery
  • • Group role-play demonstrations
  • • 3 staff: Facilitators & Actor
  • • Tailored to group needs

Example Course Titles

Our ECST range covers a wide variety of focused topics and specific healthcare roles.

Enhanced Communication Skills Training (ECST) Multidisciplinary

Challenging Conversations with Colleagues

ECST for International Medical Graduates

ECST for Post Graduate Doctors

ECST for Early Career CNS

ECST for Radiographers 'Straight to CT'

ECST for Medical Examiners

ECST for Supportive and Assistive Staff

ECST for Allied Health Professionals

ECST for Dementia Care

Enhanced Breaking Bad News

Enhanced Motivational Interviewing

Who Are These Courses For?

Staff Bands

Designed for staff across a wider range of bands, from junior to mid-tier healthcare professionals who need focused communication skills training.

Training Drivers

Perfect for organisations responding to patient feedback, complaints, staff concerns, management considerations, or planned culture change.

Frequently Asked Questions About ECST

Common questions about Enhanced Communication Skills Training

What is ECST (Enhanced Communication Skills Training)?

ECST is a 1-day focused communication skills training programme for mid-tier and junior healthcare staff. Unlike the more intensive ACST, ECST delivers targeted training on specific topics like challenging conversations, dementia care, or role-specific communication skills. It's available as workshop-only or with optional e-learning.

What is the difference between ACST and ECST?

ACST (Advanced) is a comprehensive 3-part blended programme for Band 7+ senior staff, spanning 5 weeks with individual coaching and 2-day workshops. ECST (Enhanced) is a focused 1-day workshop for mid-tier and junior staff, targeting specific communication challenges. ECST is more accessible and can train 14 people per session versus 10 for ACST.

How long is ECST training?

ECST workshops run for 1 day (9am-4:30pm). With the blended learning option, participants complete 2-3 hours of e-learning videos about 1 month before the workshop. The workshop-only option requires no pre-course preparation.

What ECST course topics are available?

ECST covers diverse topics including: Multidisciplinary ECST, Challenging Conversations with Colleagues, ECST for International Medical Graduates, ECST for Post Graduate Doctors, ECST for Early Career CNS, ECST for Radiographers, ECST for Medical Examiners, ECST for Dementia Care, Enhanced Breaking Bad News, and Enhanced Motivational Interviewing.

Can ECST be customised for our organisation?

Yes, each ECST course can be tailored to your organisation's specific needs. Courses are often developed in partnership with healthcare clients to address particular challenges identified through patient feedback, complaints, staff concerns, or planned culture change initiatives.

Ready to enhance your team's communication skills?

From singular focused courses to wide-reaching programmes across all staff levels, we can meet your organisation's specific needs.