Course Overview

This one-day Minor Illness Update course is designed for experienced registered healthcare professionals already delivering minor illness care within Primary Care.

The programme provides an evidence-based update across common acute presentations seen in General Practice and urgent care settings. Teaching focuses on refining clinical reasoning, strengthening consultation structure, and applying current prescribing guidance safely.

Participants will revisit high-volume minor illness presentations, explore diagnostic challenges, and enhance confidence in identifying red flags and escalation thresholds. The course supports clinicians in maintaining safe, patient-centred practice within an evolving Primary Care landscape.

Learning is interactive and case-based, encouraging discussion of real-world scenarios and practical challenges.

Who Should Attend

This course is suitable for:

Advanced Clinical Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners
Practice Nurses delivering minor illness clinics
Paramedics working in Primary Care
Primary Care Pharmacists
Experienced registered clinicians managing acute presentations

Participants should already be practising in minor illness roles.

What This Course Covers

Safe Practice and Clinical Governance

Evolving Primary Care models
Scope of practice and escalation
Safe documentation
Prescribing updates and antimicrobial stewardship

Common Acute Presentations

Respiratory tract infections
Ear, nose and throat conditions
Abdominal pain and urinary tract infections
Head, neck and back pain
Eye infections
Acute skin rashes
Minor injuries

Clinical Decision-Making and Risk Management

Red flag recognition
Differential diagnosis refinement
Consultation dynamics
Managing diagnostic uncertainty
When to refer or escalate

Holistic and Patient-Centred Care

Addressing psychosocial elements in acute presentations
Communication strategies
Managing patient expectations
Supporting self-care appropriately

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Apply up-to-date guidance in minor illness management
Refine structured consultation and assessment skills
Recognise red flags requiring urgent escalation
Optimise safe prescribing in acute presentations
Navigate diagnostic uncertainty confidently
Deliver holistic, patient-centred care
Reflect on professional development within minor illness practice

Course Format

Duration: Full-day

Delivery: Virtual or face-to-face

Format includes:

Structured teaching sessions
Case-based discussion
Interactive clinical scenarios
Peer learning and problem-solving

Certification

Certificate of attendance provided for CPD and revalidation purposes.