BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Health (Advanced Diploma Entry Point)

This module will facilitate your development of the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prescribing from a legally specified UK formulary. Successful completion of all components of the module will lead to the achievement of a recordable prescribing qualification with your regulatory body (NMC or HCPC). The subject areas you will study include assessing the patient and considering prescribing options, pharmacology for prescribing and de-prescribing, legal and regulatory frameworks, providing information, reaching shared decisions, monitoring and reviewing treatments, prescribing safely, professionally and as part of a team and improving prescribing practice.

In this module you will explore the normal anatomy and physiology of the nervous system before applying this knowledge to the altered pathophysiology of acute and chronic neurological conditions. Topics will include traumatic brain injury, brain tumours, stroke, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. You will learn the value and application of comprehensive neurological assessment, investigations and effective management of patients with neurological conditions. The importance and focus of contextualised interprofessional working and the scope of health care provision for neurological conditions within different health care settings will be integral to the module, including the psychological impact on both patients and their families. It is also expected that you apply your new learning to practice (work-based learning) and share experiences with your colleagues.

This module is aimed at registered healthcare professionals who care for patients with respiratory disorders across all healthcare settings. The primary focus is on the normal anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and an exploration of the altered pathophysiology of both acute and chronic respiratory disorders. Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Asthma and COPD
• Tuberculosis
• Lung transplantation
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Smoking cessation
• Pneumonia
• Pneumothorax
• Occupational lung disease

You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the care and treatment of these disorders, including assessment, investigations, and management. The module integrates the importance of inter-professional working and highlights the scope of healthcare provision for respiratory disorders, including the psychological impact on patients and their families.
The assessment for this module is a 3000-word case study on a chosen acute or chronic respiratory disorder. This will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding, critically analysing the condition and reflecting on best practices and implications for patient care.

In this module you will explore the anatomy and physiology of the heart before applying this knowledge to the altered pathophysiology of acute and long-term conditions associated with cardiac disorders. Topics include coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. You will learn the value and application of comprehensive assessment, investigation and management of patients with the common cardiac presentations, including an introduction to interpretation of 12 lead EGs and common arrhythmias. The importance and focus of contextualised inter-professional working, patient empowerment and the scope of health care provision for certain heart disease conditions within primary care and acute settings will be integral to the module, including the impact on both patients and their families

The module will commence with a reflection and an analysis of your own prior skills and abilities surrounding the care of the person living with or at risk of diabetes, related to your professional practice which will be reviewed throughout the module as learning progresses.
The module will focus on the following elements:
• The delivery of safe and effective management and preventative strategies for diabetes care
• The pathophysiology of diabetes and aetiology of short- and longer-term complications
• The role of technologies for diabetes care
• Approaches to behavioural change for those living with or at risk of diabetes
• The mental health burden of the condition to the person and their significant others
• The role of clinical guidelines and practice / service structures in detecting, managing and postponing diabetes and reversing complications

Your learning will be via guided and individual study through use of interactive eLearning packages followed by a live online seminar. These will evaluate your learning by asking you to undertake formative learning exercises with feedback provided electronically and by teachers as a means to gradually develop your understanding. You will attend the live online seminars and share your learning with teachers and peers using case studies and peer discussion where you will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback and feed forward to each other.
There will be an opportunity to enhance your academic and research skills through formative assessment and access to high quality bespoke resources. The written summative assessment asks you to critically evaluate the care of the person living with diabetes and make evidence-based recommendations for practice relating to the case presented.

This module aims to develop practitioners to undertake history taking and examination within contemporary health care settings. You will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to assess, and respond appropriately to health need, whilst working independently whilst working within legal, ethical, and professional guidelines.

You will learn knowledge and skills for undertaking a general approach to health history and clinical examination of patients. You will cover biological systems in order to provide a systematic approach to history taking and clinical examination resulting in an increased ability to assess, examine and manage patients with a wide range of clinical presentations across the age spectrum (except very young children). The systems covered in your learning are as follows:
Cardiovascular.
Respiratory
Gastrointestinal
Neurological
Musculoskeletal
Gynaecology
Dermatology

This module will give you the knowledge to assess and manage the patient’s ability and appropriateness to receive health interventions and refer to other health care professional as required. Summative assessment will include the achievement of clinical examination skills via an OSCE. You will learn to review clinical data in order to construct clinical decisions and produce management plans. You will learn specific techniques for examination of the body for accuracy and safety. Learning will be research led by current clinical evidence including local, national, and international guidelines.

The overall aim of the module is to develop the knowledge and skills required for the safe care of critically ill children and young people. You will gain knowledge and understanding of specific physiological problems encountered in children and be able to recognise, respond and develop your care provision. This module will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required to recognise and manage the deteriorating and critically ill child and young people. The module content closely follows the UK resuscitation council guidelines and policy.

The module uses a structured approach to systematically assess and manage deteriorating children and young people. You will apply this structure to understand how children of all ages deteriorate. You will learn the anatomical and physiological response to illness, prior to applying this knowledge in simulated sessions utilising high fidelity simulation in a clinical skills setting.

Content Overview
• Recognition of the critically ill patient
• Structured approach to assessment of critically ill children and young people.
• Anatomy and physiology of paediatric airways, respiratory system, circulatory system and paediatric neurology.
• Exploration of clinical conditions
• Clinical decision making
• Developing supportive care of critically ill patients

In this module, you will learn how to manage a range of common symptoms and pain in patients with advanced disease, examining both the physiology of pain and the theories that guide our understanding of how pain is perceived. You will explore various tools for assessing pain and other symptoms, gaining insights into their benefits and limitations as you refine the holistic assessment skills essential for high-quality care. Building on this foundation, you will evaluate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, considering how each approach can be tailored to enhance patients’ quality of life—especially during the last days and hours of life. In this module you will cover topics which include common symptoms in advanced disease; the physiology of pain and pain theory; pain and symptom assessment tools; pharmacological and non-pharmacological symptom management; emergencies in palliative care; symptoms in the last days and hours of life; challenges for practice; patient perspective of living with fatigue.

By the end of the module, you will have demonstrated an in-depth understanding of symptoms and pain in advanced disease and critically assessed the role of holistic, evidence-based care. You will analyse how effective pain and symptom management contributes to a patient’s overall well-being, applying diverse management strategies within a multidisciplinary framework. In doing so, you will develop the analytical and reflective skills examining your personal contributions to care delivery and teamwork, and ensuring your practice is rooted in empathy, ethics, and professional collaboration.

On this module you will develop an increased ability to assess and manage patients with a wide range of sexual health requirements across the age spectrum across a variety of health care settings. It is expected that this module will give you the knowledge to assess and manage the patient’s ability and appropriateness to receive preventative health interventions in accordance with local and national policy drivers. Summative assessment will include the achievement of clinical competencies, which have been benchmarked at a national level, a reflective academic assignment and a schedule of short answer and scenario-based questions. This module aims to develop practitioners to undertake preventative and management interventions within contemporary sexual health nursing. The module will facilitate you to identify when patients require referral into specialist sexual health services for the management of complex presentations, sexual violence and/or psychological issues Students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to assess, and respond appropriately to health need, whilst working independently and within legal, ethical and professional guidelines. You will have the opportunity to complete the national cervical screening training during this module if you have not previously completed this core skill.

During this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in supporting survivors of all types of sexual abuse. This will include critical evaluation of key theoretical concepts underpinning the nature of sexual violence/abuse. This module is aimed at and open to those that work with adults, young people and children within the health, social care, and education setting. The module aims to develop knowledge of the factors that influence the sexual violence/abuse of children, young people, and adults. You will develop a critical understanding of legislation governing the role and responsibilities of the professional in supporting, signposting, and safeguarding people.

More specifically, in this module you will explore and learn what is defined by sexual violence/abuse and the complexity of this topic (sexual violence is a term that incorporates many different sexually violent crimes). This will include in-depth analysis of sexual violence statistics; the increased rates of disclosures following high profile historic sexual abuse case and the #metoo movement; the burden of sexual violence/ abuse on immediate and long-term health, the impact on government monies and the emotional effect on professionals supporting survivors. There will be a critical exploration of gendered based abuse and sexual violence as a continuum in society; Victim blaming and disclosure - myths, unconscious bias, and assumptions surrounding sexual violence and the barriers for disclosure; explore disclosure - whom people disclose to, response in both the social and formal setting and the impact of the response on health and wellbeing. We then go into depth regarding emphasising knowledge of the links to risk, indicators, impact, legalities, signposting. Legal & Professional Frameworks: exploring the legal considerations should the case go to court – awareness of procedure CSP / expert witness Vs professional witness / giving evidence.

Throughout the module we will also touch upon: trauma focused practice, ethical, legal, personal, socio economic, environmental and cultural considerations and frameworks; current legislation and policy regarding to sexual violence / abuse; response to public enquires and serious case review; working with abusive families; empowerment, power and relationships; self-safeguarding; professional roles and discipline guidelines, inter-disciplinary and inter-agency working; collaborative working practice, sharing of information and overcoming territorial historical boundaries. You will also explore comprehensive assessments, documentation, personal conflict issues, advocacy and dealing with sensitive and difficult situations. As part of this module, we will build on skills you will already have around communication, escalating concerns, vulnerable adults, dignity and respect. We will also explore capacity and consent in complex situations.

The Enhanced Phases in Perioperative Practice module will allow you to deepen your understanding of the three peri-operative phases examining how they shape patient outcomes. Whether you have prior knowledge or require a plan, you will explore professional regulations, guidelines, and policies critical to effective practice. With input from specialist educators, you will engage with clinical theories and research, developing a holistic view of contemporary issues influencing perioperative care.

A central component is the creation of an academic poster, extending your learning beyond the classroom to clinical environments and professional conferences. By showcasing your new insights, this assessment can inform your workplace, align with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards, or support Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) revalidation. Throughout your studies, you will critically evaluate perioperative processes, linking them to the latest evidence and reflecting on your own practice.

Through learning activities, you will identify and justify the phases of the perioperative patient journey while developing an appreciation for how each stage impacts patient safety. You will also critique key concepts and theories guiding clinical decision-making, recognizing their contribution to optimal patient care.

The combination of online asynchronous and synchronous sessions, plus an in-person practical workshop, encourages debate on crucial perioperative issues. These engaging experiences promote reflection and equip you to provide safer, efficient patient care. By analysing and justifying your findings, you will develop intellectual and professional skills needed to enhance patient care, while cultivating curiosity, ethical awareness, and a global outlook for professional growth.

The module will commence with a reflection and an analysis of your own prior skills and abilities surrounding the core public health principles related to your professional practice. The module will then introduce you to the core public health principles and evidence base which you can adopt to address individual, community or population need through the promotion of health and prevention of ill health. The module focuses on three key elements:
• Development of critical knowledge and appreciation of the changing patterns of populations, communities and people through a life course approach.
• Analysis of the core public health principles, models and approaches to assessment and motivational interviewing to develop a robust formulation of evidence to underpin your professional practice
• Determine strategies for health preventative interventions and the promotion of health, to address the health status and health literacy in relation to your area of professional practice

Your learning will be via guided and individual study through use of interactive elearning packages followed by a live online seminar. These will evaluate your learning by asking you to undertake several formative learning exercises with feedback provided electronically and by teachers as a means to gradually develop your understanding. You will attend the live online seminars and share your learning with teachers and peers using case reviews, peer discussion where you will have the opportunity to give and receive feedback and feed forward to each other. You will apply your learning to a summative assignment which requires you to critically analyse a case study of your choice from your current professional practice where you demonstrate the application of the core public health principles and make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.

This module focuses on clinical skills assessment when working with babies, children, and young people. You will be supported to strengthen and develop your knowledge base in relation to conducting, interpreting, and evaluating complex health and social care needs for babies, children, and young people, working in partnership with their families, drawing upon principles of person and family centred care.
You will develop your practice in addressing the physical and psychosocial dimensions within clinical assessment, taking into consideration social determinants of health and illness. Enhanced communication skills will be developed, and you will be supported to apply strategies with developmental consideration of babies, children, and young people, enabling them and their families to make informed choices about their care.
The module will be focused on conditions encountered when caring for babies, children, and young people. Teaching will adopt a body systems approach with a range of seminars, practical workshops, tutorials, lectures (Online Supported Learning OSL packages), and tutor guided learning, with sessions focusing specifically on conditions, examining the physiology, pathophysiology, and relevant pharmacology, as identified in the co-production of this module with our stakeholders and employing partners.
You will develop your practice and ability to lead episodes of care for babies, children, young people, and their families, understanding when to admit, discharge or refer as appropriate. You will have the opportunity to enhance your specialist knowledge, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, undertaking comprehensive clinical assessments, focusing on practice-based scenarios. Similarly, you will be supported to understand a range of informatics, including clinical investigations, to assist your assessment and diagnosis, distinguishing between normal and abnormal findings across the differing needs and age ranges of babies, children, and young people. You will also demonstrate your ability to accurately document your findings, identifying pertinent clinical and care solutions and effectively communicate these appropriately within the inter-professional team as well as to babies, children, young people, and families.

The module will focus on the development of expertise in leading educational practice for a variety of learners, supervisors, assessors and the wider workforce within a professional context. As a student on this module, you will engage in work based inter-professional learning, teaching and development opportunities with a range of learners and educational partners to support and advance professional education in practice.

• The module will begin with a reflection and analysis of your personal learning and teaching philosophy, exploring your dominant teaching style and the factors that shape these characteristics.

The module will then provide an overview of learning and teaching principles in healthcare settings, focusing on key areas such as:

• Fundamentals of education theory, including adult learning principles.
• Learner-centred education, emphasising active participation, engagement, and tailoring approaches to individual learner needs.
• Curriculum development, focusing on designing, planning, and delivering effective learning and teaching sessions.
• Interprofessional education, fostering collaboration and shared learning among diverse healthcare professionals.
• Assessing and evaluating learning in clinical and educational environments.
• Exploring learning and teaching strategies, including working with individuals and leading small and large group sessions.
• Understanding and implementing formative and summative assessments, including the principles of assessment for and of learning.
• Providing effective constructive feedback and feed-forward to support learner development.
• Supporting diverse learner needs, including strategies for inclusive education.
• Reflecting on and enhancing your own teaching practice.

This module places a strong emphasis on interprofessional and learner-centred education, fostering collaboration across disciplines and preparing you to contribute to the development of a skilled, adaptable healthcare workforce.

This module will focus on the theoretical concepts and phases of strategic thinking in health and social practice. The module content will encourage your own cognitive development, exploring this within the context of a critical exploration of the development of your own practice area. The module will further critically examine the complexity of strategic thinking, goal setting, planning and resourcing, exploring assumptions related to existing knowledge, current research evidence, policy and empirical evidence. You will be considering and exploring logic, and creative approaches to problem solving, encouraging and developing your proactive application of strategic thinking in an effective way. You will learn about models and frameworks of strategic thinking, applying and considering this in the context of your own area of professional practice. This will also entail the consideration of communication and engagement strategy across a range of organisations. The exploration of these principles will enable you to access strategies and behaviours for strategic thinking, assisting your development of solution focused approaches to challenges faced within healthcare practice.

This module will focus upon three central and complex areas key to the development of your own practice i.e. Leadership, Management and Decision Making. The module will therefore prepare you to apply effective leadership within the delivery of your service. You will learn about models and frameworks of leadership and application of these within your area of professional practice. This will include leadership styles, communication strategies and conflict management. You will learn to access strategies and behaviours for effective leadership and management that will assist you in achieving and maintaining leadership of self and others. Module content will also include the main theoretical approaches to decision making and allow you to explore and apply these principles. You will learn to evaluate the complexity and uncertainty within which judgements and decisions are made, examining how decision-making skills are acquired and better utilised in the range of health and social practice.

This module is for students on the BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Health programme. This module will help you advance your knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to leading practice in your own professional field. You will have the opportunity to identify an area of contemporary practice with a focus on quality improvement, seeking to improve service user outcomes through the systematic review of services against specific criteria. Following this, recommendations for service improvement are identified. You will have the opportunity to plan and complete an evaluation, sourcing and critiquing a range of relevant contemporary evidence, apply leadership and change theories and contextualise learning in order to prepare you for leading practice. The module content will include, clinical evaluation approaches, leadership and change theory, development of strategic leadership skills and networking, promotion of research-based practice and integration of research and theory to practice. You will have the opportunity to apply and relate what you learn on the module towards your academic assessment, which is the development and presentation of a poster similar to those presented at a conference.