Leading and Innovating Practice BSc (Hons); Postgraduate Diploma in; MSc

Core modules

Evidence in Clinical Practice (30 credits)

This module recognises the importance of clinical expertise as key to interpreting and applying research and professional evidence into practice. During this module students will learn how to find evidence and critically analyse theoretical, scientific and ethical aspects of their chosen sources. Students will consider how evidence can inform practice and make credible recommendations for change.

Leadership in Health and Social Care Practice (30 credits)

This module considers contemporary leadership theory, policy and research and its application to current challenges faced by leaders working in health and social care. It aims to develop a critical awareness of leadership concepts and provide learners with strategies to lead change and innovation in their local area. Topics include collaborative working, team performance, coaching and talent development.

Innovation in Health and Social Care Practice (30 credits)

This module explores creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking in the context of health and social care. It will develop understanding of design thinking, innovation process models and implementation science to equip students with the knowledge and skills to innovate in response to local and national drivers.

Independent Study (30 credits)

This module provides you with the opportunity for originality and intellectual independence into a specific area of your practice. Students will be able to choose between an impact study (e.g. service evaluation or audit), a clinical change project, or critical review of practice.

Core modules

Research in Health and Social Care (30 credits)

This module explores contemporary issues and debates in health research. The module will prepare students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake research in their chosen field of professional practice.

Leadership in Health and Social Care Practice (30 credits)

This module considers contemporary leadership theory, policy and research and its application to current challenges faced by leaders working in health and social care. It aims to develop a critical awareness of leadership concepts and provide learners with strategies to lead change and innovation in their local area. Topics include collaborative working, team performance, coaching and talent development.

Innovation in Health and Social Care Practice (30 credits)

This module explores creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking in the context of health and social care. It will develop understanding of design thinking, innovation process models and implementation science to equip students with the knowledge and skills to innovate in response to local and national drivers.

Independent Study (60 credits)

This module provides you with the opportunity for originality and intellectual independence into a specific area of your practice. Students will be able to choose between an impact study (e.g. service evaluation or audit), a clinical change project, or critical review of practice.

Optional modules (30 credits)

Maintaining Function and Quality of Life in the Frail Person (30 credits)

On this module you will consolidate your understanding of person centred care, re-enablement and the wider determinants of health, and critically evaluate your working practice with emphasis on families and carers as partners in care; and collaborative practice across care settings. You will critically reflect on your clinical practice and identify your strengths and limitations, with particular reference to Advanced Care Planning and shared decisions for End of Life Care. Our aim is to produce Health Care of Frail People practitioners who demonstrate that they have developed effective and competent practice, informed by appropriate theory, research and skills to promote optimal outcomes for people living with frailty and comorbidity You will be able to demonstrate effective leadership and communication through observed practice and assignment work.

Understanding, Identifying, Assessing and Managing Frailty (30 credits)

This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the pathophysiology of aging, concepts of frailty and the comprehensive geriatric assessment. The module considers contemporary approaches to the assessment and management of people living with frailty including management of frailty syndromes, along with strategies to promote patient engagement and participation in self-management.

Fundamentals in Emergency and Acute Medicine (30 credits)

This module will focus on the contemporary fundamental concepts in Acute Medicine and Emergency Care. Learners will develop their core knowledge and critical thinking skills within these specialities. Through a symptom-based focus with constant consideration of application to practice, learners will enhance clinical practice by improving their ability to assess patients and plan, manage and critically evaluate their care. This will be achieved through pre-learning, classroom-based, patient scenario, simulation-based activities and completion of a work based portfolio.

Acute Medicine (30 credits)

After completing the Fundamentals in Emergency and Acute medicine, learners on this module will focus on the Acute Medicine speciality. Emphasis will be placed on gaining the critical knowledge and enhanced skills required for developing expertise and confidence in this unique speciality. There will be a symptom based approach to the learning and focus on the continuing care of patients.

Emergency Care (30 credits)

After completing the Fundamentals in Emergency and Acute Medicine module, you will focus on the Emergency Medicine speciality. You'll focus on gaining the key knowledge and skills required for developing expertise and confidence in this unique speciality. There will be a symptom-based focus to learning, with constant consideration of application to clinical practice.

Fundamentals of Neonatal Care (30 credits)

In this module you will gain a critical understanding of anatomy and pathophysiology, which informs neonatal care and therapeutic interventions in the low dependency and special care settings. You will critically analyse research, evidence and professional guidance to inform family-centred care, and analyse leadership strategies which facilitate collaboration and the efficient use of resources for the effective performance of the team. You will critically appraise the psychosocial and cultural needs of the family unit in the neonatal setting, communicate knowledge & associated clinical reasoning to peers drawing on complex situations to synthesise decision making, develop therapeutic relationships between the family unit and the MDT, and develop critical reflective skills to enhance personal & professional development.

Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Non-Medical Practitioners (40 credits)

This module will provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to meet the NMC and HCPC standards for Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Non-medical prescribers. You will develop your skills to be able to assess, diagnose and prescribe for a range of conditions, be introduced to the knowledge and skills to work in partnership with other professionals to deliver evidence-based care in diverse health and social care settings, and be equipped with professional values and behaviours to demonstrate self-awareness, leadership and resilience.

Fundamentals of Renal Care (30 credits)

This module aims to develop a critical understanding of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. The module considers contemporary approaches to the assessment and management of renal conditions, along with strategies to promote patient engagement and participation in self-management.

Contemporary Approaches in Renal Disease (30 credits)

This module aims to develop a critical understanding of active therapeutic interventions which are used in the management of renal pathology. The module also considers contemporary approaches to leadership to facilitate effective collaboration and effective performance of the multidisciplinary team.

Lifecycle of Clinical Research (30 credits)

This module aims to develop understanding of the practical and regulatory issues associated with carrying out health and social care related research. You’ll explore different types of research studies and their challenges, discuss research design and delivery including the importance of patient and public involvement, and learn how to identify funding and resource requirements.

Leading Health and Social Care Research (30 credits)

This module aims to help you understand the principles of planning, patient recruitment, piloting and feasibility assessments. You will explore how collaboration can enhance study feasibility and quality, appraise the attributes of an inclusive researcher, and develop a critical and reflective approach to leading and delivering health and social care research.

Trial Management (30 credits)

This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage a research study, including project planning, resource management and risk management. Your skills and confidence to manage a clinical trial will be enhanced, and you will explore strategies that can be implemented to ensure strategies are completed on-time and within budget.

Research Governance (15 credits)

In this module you will review Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles for conducting and reporting clinical trials. You will discuss quality assurance and quality control systems used for monitoring and audit, and learn to effectively prepare for an inspection.

Research Ethics (15 credits)

In this module you will develop an awareness of the key ethical issues in research, the role of ethics committees, and research governance. You will discuss how research ethics and research integrity protect the safety of research participants, and explore how to identify ethical issues across the design, delivery and management of research.