Academic Writing for Healthcare Students in Higher Education 2025/26

Suitable for all staff wishing to (& eligible to) pick up a module via SWAST CPD.

All GradesWest

Discover the academic writing fundamentals to help you achieve success in your healthcare-related degree.

Ideal for those who have been out of higher education for a while but are keen to pick this up. Or just for those who feel they would like a refresher to give the best chance of success!

Academic writing forms a significant part of your healthcare degree, and is key to your success at university. This three-week course from Kingston University and St George’s, University of London will give you the tips, strategies, and tools you need to develop your academic writing skills. In honing your skills, you’ll boost your confidence and be able to focus on your course content to become a motivated and independent learner.

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Creating Psychological Safety – Virtual Workshop

Available for all roles and all grades. May be most beneficial to those in a leadership role or aspiring leaders.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

A one day virtual workshop.

Studies are increasingly highlighting the important role that psychological safety plays at work. “In a team with high
psychological safety, teammates feel safe to take risks around their team members. They feel confident that no one
on the team will embarrass or punish anyone else for admitting a mistake, asking a question, or offering a new idea.”

This workshop is intended to be run as a programme of self-exploration, designed for individuals to highlight
possible challenges before they become issues, and share ideas and opportunities for improvement with their
colleagues.

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Insights into Communication – Yourself and others

Predominantly designed for patient facing staff (all grades), but would also be appropriate for staff in non patient facing roles.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

One day virtual course designed with the pressures of the NHS in mind.

Using theory from a well-established preference model and recognises how communication can often be difficult in intense situations. You'll learn why sometimes you don't get on with others and what you can do about it. The course looks to support a shift in mindset about people. As well as this, it expands into leadership capabilities including emotional intelligence, delegation and planning.

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Microsoft 365 Training

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

An overview of the available Microsoft 365 training we have on offer.

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Microsoft 365: PowerPoint

Open to all staff.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

This PowerPoint training is an up to 90-minute interactive workshop delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams. This engagement gives users a basic understanding of the tools and how to locate and utilise them within PowerPoint. Each session will include a Q & A.

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Microsoft 365: Excel Intermediate Workshop

All SWASFT staff.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

This remote workshop is aimed at those who are looking to improve their Excel skills. It covers conditional formatting rules, sorting advanced data, advanced formulas and functions as well as additional tips and tricks. Attendees will leave feeling confident in using conditional formatting rules and using advanced functions in Excel, as well as using more advanced features such as pivot tables and data validation.

The provider have suggested the foundation Excel workshop should be a prerequisite for this intermediate session.

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Finding the Light in Dementia 2025

Designed predominantly for front-line staff (registrants & non-registrants), but non-clinical staff are also welcome to sign up.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestDistance Learning

Created by a dementia nurse specialist with over 30 years experience, Finding the Light in Dementia is designed to provide a deep understanding of dementia. Covering an overview of the how our brains work, as well as practical tips and approaches when it comes to what to consider, how to connect and how best to communicate with a person living with dementia.

This course is available as both an online study day and e-learning platform.

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Stroke Pre-Alerts Simulation Day

Aimed at Lead Clinicians

NorthAll GradesNorthEastWest

A full day of immersive learning with realistic hyper acute stroke scenarios that simulate the pre-alert processes with the hospital stroke team.

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Making Every Contact Count – Training Courses

NorthAll GradesNorthEastWest

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is about making the most of contacts we have with the people we meet every day. MECC is a reflective skills-based training opportunity that encourages a different way of interacting to address health and well being issues.

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Finding the Light in Dementia: Virtual Training Platform

Designed predominantly for front-line staff (registrants & non-registrants), but non-clinical staff are also welcome to sign up.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

A flexible virtual training package, for those who prefer to learn at their own pace. Available as part of a package along with live study days, or by itself if you aren't able to attend any of the live sessions.

Content has been created by a dementia nurse specialist with over 30 yrs experience, Finding the Light in Dementia is designed to provide a deep understanding of dementia. This resource provides an overview of the how our brains work, as well as practical tips and approaches when it comes to what to consider, how to connect and how best to communicate with a person living with dementia. This training has been delivered to other ambulance services with positive feedback.


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Finding the Light in Dementia: Live on-line study day

Designed predominantly for front-line staff (registrants & non-registrants), but non-clinical staff are also very welcome to sign up.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestDistance Learning

One day live virtual workshop / study day. Available as part of a package along with a self-paced virtual training package or by itself if you'd prefer just to attend a live session.

Created by a dementia nurse specialist with over 30 years experience, Finding the Light in Dementia is designed to provide a deep understanding of dementia. Covering an overview of the how our brains work, as well as practical tips and approaches when it comes to what to consider, how to connect and how best to communicate with a person living with dementia.

This course is available as both an online study day and e-learning platform.

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Collaborative Working and Decision Making to Support and Safeguard Children in Swindon

NorthAll GradesNorthEastWest

The aim of these sessions is to support professionals to work in partnership enabling them to make good referrals, share information appropriately having regard to issues of consent. Multi-agency referral and assessment ensures children and families get support at the right time and at the earliest opportunity. 

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Courageous Conversations – 1 day virtual workshop

Available to all staff of all grades (registered & non registered) in both patient-facing roles. Patient-facing includes scenarios where the patient is contacted over the phone.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

1 day virtual workshop designed to enhance skills & confidence & to provide a framework to deliver courageous conversations.

Sometimes we feel over worked and under appreciated. Other times, we might like to give feedback but hold back for fear of reprisal. Occasionally, we may feel undermined by a colleague or boss. The common thread in these scenarios is the need to have a potentially difficult conversation.
These conversations take strategy, skill and above all courage. This workshop is designed to help build these skills & confidence.

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ZOLL Resuscitation Review Study Days 2024/25

Available to all staff and students

NorthEastWestAll GradesNorthEastWestStudents

Managing a patient experiencing an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) requires quick thinking and the ability to use the latest technology to deliver a high-quality resuscitation attempt.
This 1-day workshop focuses on the importance of high-quality CPR and utilising advanced monitoring features on Trust ZOLL X-Series defibrillators.

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Armoured Rescue 2025

NorthAll GradesNorthEastWest

Exercise Armoured Rescuer 2025 is a joint partnership between Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) and the Armoured Centre at Bovington. This prestigious event attracts attendees from all over the globe and aims to promote best practices, share knowledge, and develop expertise in dealing with rescue incidents or fires involving military armoured vehicles.

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Immersive Dementia Simulation Training

Available to all front line staff (ECAs, apprentices & all grades of para), but may be most helpful to newly qualified staff or those wanting a refresher.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

Immersive dementia training followed by further in-depth training on Dementia and Delirium.

This face-to-face training involves use of devices and equipment which simulate the effect of mid-stage dementia within a simulation training environment. This type of training offers a scientifically proven method of giving a person with a healthy brain an experience of what dementia might be like. It allows delegates to enter the world of the person and understand which simple changes need to be made to their practice and environment to really improve the lives of people with dementia. The second half of the session further covers Dementia and Delirium.

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Creating Positive Relationships – Programme for Leaders

Suitable for leaders who are band 6 and above

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

Work-related relationships can be challenging, and it's common to underestimate the difficulties that can often be encountered when trying to navigate through the work environment and the complex nature of human interaction.

This programme encourages personal accountability and fosters the skills necessary for building healthier, more respectful, and inclusive workplace relationships. By reflecting on past behaviours and embracing a commitment to growth, participants can transform their conduct and contribute to a more positive and productive work environment. This programme is International Institute of Risk Safety Management (IIRSM) accredited.

Face-to-face & virtual options available.

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Protected: Microsoft 365: Video Resources

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning
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Microsoft 365: Forms

Open to all staff.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

Most of us by now have completed a Microsoft Form; but are you a bit baffled by how to create one yourself? Want to capture a lot of data quickly but don't have time to do this manually or want to help yourself or your team to work more efficiently?

This Forms Foundation training is a 90-minute interactive virtual workshop delivered remotely via Microsoft Teams. This engagement gives users a basic understanding of the tools and how to locate and utilise them within Forms. Each session will allocate time for Q & A.

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Protected: Microsoft 365: General Training

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning
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Microsoft 365: Excel Foundation Workshop

All SWASFT staff.

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

Do you feel you need to build some basic skills and foundation knowledge around Excel? You may be a member of staff who uses Excel rarely, but when you do, you find it a bit overwhelming to do simple tasks. Or perhaps you use it fairly regularly within your role, but have never had any formal training & would like to get back to basics so that you can feel you are using it in the most effective way...

If you think this is you, sign up for this remote 90 minute workshop to build skills and confidence!

The trainer advises attending a foundation level workshop as a prerequisite to the intermediate level.

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Airway CPD Workshops 2024/25

NorthAll GradesNorthEastWest

This practical CPD session gives clinicians the opportunity to refresh their airway management skills in a relaxed and informal setting; through a variety of skills stations, clinical discussions and scenario-based training.

Taught by Specialist Paramedics in Critical Care from across the Trust, this Airway workshop aims to cover topics such as:

- Escalation of airway management techniques
- Oxygenation and ventilation strategies
- End-Tidal CO2 waveforms and their clinical significance.

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Employee Research Opportunity – Coming Soon!

NorthEastWestDistance LearningAll GradesNorthEastWestDistance Learning

Working for the ambulance service can be stressful and we know from a systematic review of the evidence that employees want more time at work to look after themselves and their colleagues.

To build on this evidence we invite all SWASFT employees (from all roles) to express interest in joining a focus group (or one to one interview if preferred) where you can share your opinion and thoughts about why some colleagues are happy to ask for help from organisational support services and why some are not. This information will be used to help minimise any barriers and to enhance any facilitators to ambulance staff accessing support when needed.

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ZOLL Resuscitation Review Study Days 2024/25

Available to all staff and students

NorthEastWestAll GradesNorthEastWestStudents

Managing a patient experiencing an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) requires quick thinking and the ability to use the latest technology to deliver a high-quality resuscitation attempt.
This 1-day workshop focuses on the importance of high-quality CPR and utilising advanced monitoring features on Trust ZOLL X-Series defibrillators.

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Shadowing Opportunity: Children’s Emergency Department – NOW CLOSED

Registered clinicians

All GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestDistance LearningStudents

Bristol Children’s Hospital have kindly offered to facilitate shadowing within their Emergency Department. This is a fantastic CPD opportunity with the potential to enhance your familiarity with managing paediatric patients.

The ED are keen to tailor this to the individual, ensuring that it's a useful experience for you. One to two days are available for each learner.

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Protected: Airway Essentials – Expression of Interest

Registered clinicians

All GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestDistance LearningStudents

An airway essentials day covering all the key areas of airway assessment and management. Including a blend of mini-teaching sessions, practical workshops and simulation. Delivered by the team at Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

To ensure a balanced skill mix on the day, expressions of interest are being taken for this session. Staff will be made aware if they have a place after 24/10/24 by the educators.

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SWASFT MatNeo Webinar Series

Available to all frontline staff and students

All GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestDistance LearningStudents

The SWASFT MatNeo webinar sessions will take place on a monthly basis, covering a range of topics to help you approach maternity and neonatal jobs with confidence.

October's webinar will act as a forum to learn more about supporting families experiencing baby loss. Hear from subject-matter experts, discuss best practice in pre-hospital care and ask questions in a supportive environment.

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Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC)

Suitable for all staff and students. May be most applicable for staff who have contact with patients.

NorthEastDistance LearningAll GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestStudents

This pre-recorded session offers information and guidance if someone discloses to a professional that they have been raped or sexually assaulted. Delivered by Duncan from The Bridge, which is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

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Easy Paedsy: Dr Led Webinar Series – 2024/25

Available to all staff and Paramedic Science students

All GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestDistance LearningStudents

These sessions will take place on a monthly basis, covering a range of topics to help you tackle those paedatric jobs with confidence.

They have been generously offered to SWASFT by staff & students by the Bristol Royal Children's Hospital.

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Sexual Assault Referral Centres – How can we help? – Oct & Nov 2023

patient-facing people trustwide.

WestAll GradesRegistered CliniciansWest

As ambulance professionals, we are likely to meet people that disclose sexual violence/ assault to us. It is important for both short and long-term management and recovery that we handle this well, and that we are aware of the referral pathways available to us. Many people don’t know what Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) can provide, don’t know how to refer to them and don’t know that the police don’t need to be involved in this process

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Volunteer to be a patient for an OSCE with UoC – Bridgewater – multiple dates

Student or SWASFT staff

NorthEastWestAll GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWestStudents

OSCE stands for Objective Structured Clinical Examination. SWAST Students on the BSc paramedic degree apprenticeship programme with the University of Cumbria (UoC) need to complete a level 5 system assessment OSCE and a level 6 patient assessment OSCE.

Volunteering to play the role of a patient is a fantastic opportunity to see an OSCE without being assessed and meet the team! You do not need any prior knowledge or acting experience.

This is a great opportunity for all, but particularly for those who are aspiring to be on the programme and current students. You will also receive a UoC CPD certificate for your participation.


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Pre-Hospital PROMPT – Multiple Dates 2024-25

Suitable for Paramedics and Clinicians above this level plus Dip HE students.

NorthRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWest

We are delighted to see the return of highly anticipated face-to-face Pre-Hospital PROMPT training day delivered by Pre-Hospital PROMPT trained midwives and Education Leads’s.

This PROMPT training day includes managing birth complications, haemorrhage and basic new-born resuscitation with some fantastic practical sessions on pregnancy induced hypertension with hands‐on workshops on cord prolapse, vaginal breech and more.

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SORT Training 2025

Available to SORT trained staff only

Registered CliniciansNorthEastWest

SWAST have a legal responsibility to respond to acts of terrorism and incidents involving chemicals with the intent of saving and preserving life.

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Protected: DRAFT ONLY – Commander CPD Development Days 2023 – Multiple Locations & Dates

Available to Command trained only

All GradesRegistered CliniciansNorthEastWest

Attendance at a Command CPD day is a mandatory requirement for all Trust commanders as outlined within the Trust Command Policy. Following completion of the Trust Command Training you are now required to attend yearly Continual Professional Development Days and also a new additional Operational Commander HTC day

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SORT Training Expressions of Interest – All Grades

Available to all operational & bank staff

All GradesNorthEastWest

Open to all clinical grades and part time and bank staff.
Expressions of interest

This course will train you to form part of the specialist assets that respond to these incidents and to support the overall care of casualties in adverse environments whilst utilising safe systems of work which protects you and others.

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