In order to support our NHS colleagues to handle a range of difficult situations, NHS England is pleased to announce that an e-learning module of the award nominated ‘Handling difficult situations – Caring for yourself and others with compassion’ programme is now available to colleagues in frontline, patient facing roles.   This e-learning can be accessed here: https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/783143

This e-learning module, which is available for free, aims to help upskill colleagues in how to handle difficult situations with compassion, using appropriate communication techniques and active listening skills, whilst very much focussing on how to keep yourself well if you feel affected by a situation.  

The skills learnt in the training can be used in a wide range of difficult situations, including where patients may present in a challenging or distressed manner, during instances of uncivil behaviour or when speaking about difficult topics of conversation. The training also offers NHS colleagues education on models of self-awareness, self-compassion and emotional intelligence that are important in looking after our own wellbeing, as well as that of others. 

Feedback from the national training programme, for which this content is based on, has been overwhelmingly positive, achieving 95% overall satisfaction from those who have completed it.  Delegates reported an overall 25% increase in confidence in handling difficult situations with compassion following completion of the training.  

Who can sign up

This e-learning is aimed at colleagues in patient-facing, frontline roles across all sectors of the NHS, who may not have received any training of this type before.

For any questions or queries about this e-learning, please contact the national Health and Wellbeing team at ournhspeople.hwb@nhs.net