Delivering difficult news with empathy

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5 CPD credits - awaiting accreditation

Location
  • Virtual

New in 2026

This is a full-day virtual course.

Communicating difficult news sensitively is central to providing good clinical care. When handled well, it can reduce patient distress, strengthen trust, and minimise the risk of complaints or adverse outcomes for clinicians.

This course helps to equip you with the tools and confidence to deliver difficult news with clarity and compassion. Through interactive learning, you’ll gain practical skills for discussing serious or life-changing information, responding to strong emotional reactions, and navigating cultural sensitivities.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Recognise the impact of effective communication when delivering difficult news.
  • Prepare for challenging conversations with confidence.
  • Identify common challenges and blind spots in clinical communication.
  • Apply advanced communication techniques to deliver difficult news clearly and compassionately. 
  • Navigate culturally sensitive scenarios with greater awareness and skill.
  • Maintain two-way communication to support patient understanding and trust.
  • Understand the risks of poor communication and its potential consequences for clinicians.

Who should attend?

  • Consultants/specialists
  • GPs
  • Hospital doctors
  • Training grade doctors (GPST1-4 and ST1-8) 
  • Foundation doctors (FY2 only)

Awaiting accreditation by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK for 5 category 1 (external) CPD credits.

Speakers

Dr Samantha Bell

Dr Samantha Bell

MDU medico-legal adviser

Samantha studied medicine at Guy's Hospital Medical School and qualified in 1992. After gaining MRCP she went on to train as a GP, gaining MRCGP in 2003. She obtained an LLM in Health Care Ethics and Law in 2015. She worked as a GP principal in Hertfordshire before joining the MDU as a medico-legal adviser in 2015.

James Godber

James Godber

MDU senior learning and development officer

James designs and delivers training across the MDU from induction programmes to management skills, and trains staff at every level of the organisation. He also champions raising awareness of equality, diversity and unconscious bias and delivers these courses to MDU members.

Wednesday 16 September 2026, 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Virtual

Location map
Virtual