• Be a registered healthcare professional with a minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience.
• Relevant workplace opportunities and organisational support with an identified mentor is encouraged to support completion of skills portfolio in clinical environment and improve competence after attending the minor illness course. 

*** This minor illness course is suitable for healthcare professionals new in the role with limited experience seeing and treating patients independently.

***Completion of this course does not award competence or the title of Advanced Practitioner. This is obtained with experience, mentorship and completion of relevant educational course

The Minor Illness Course is designed for healthcare professionals who assess, diagnose, and manage patients presenting with minor illnesses in primary care, urgent care, and community settings. This course is ideal for those looking to enhance their clinical decision-making, improve confidence in managing minor illnesses, and develop skills in identifying red flags and safety netting.

Nurses & Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)

•        Practice Nurses transitioning to minor illness roles.
•        Nurse Practitioners working in general practice, urgent care, and walk-in centres.
•       Community Nurses needing enhanced assessment skills.
•       Advanced Clinical Practitioners managing patients independently.

Pharmacists

•       Pharmacists in general practice undertaking independent prescribing roles.
•       Community Pharmacists involved in the Pharmacy First scheme.
•       Hospital Pharmacists transitioning into primary care roles.

Paramedics

•       Paramedics working in primary care or urgent care settings.
•       Those transitioning from ambulance services to GP surgeries or out-of-hours care.

Physician Associates

•       PAs working in general practice or urgent care.
•       Those needing structured training in managing minor illnesses independently.

Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs)

•       Physiotherapists expanding into first-contact roles in MSK and minor illness.
•       Occupational Therapists working in urgent care settings.

General Practitioners (GP Trainees & International GPs)

•       GP trainees seeking additional training in minor illness presentations.
•       International GPs transitioning to UK general practice.

This minor illness course is for advanced nurse practitioners, allied  healthcare practitioners and  independent non medical prescribers working towards advanced roles seeing and treating adults in primary care and community settings including general practice and walk in pharmacies. A case study approach is used to explore differential diagnoses, and pharmacological and non pharmacological interventions including safety netting and worsening care advice.

On completion of the Minor Illness Course, you will be able to assess patients with a range of minor illness conditions of the respiratory, abdominal, gastrointestinal, dermatology, ENT, eye conditions, gynae, sexual health, contraception and mental health presentations in urgent care, general practice, walk in centres and community settings.

1. History Taking and Documentation

2. Respiratory Disorders in primary Care

3. ENT Disorders in Primary Care

4. Eye Disorders in Primary Care

5. Headaches – Clinical Decision Making and Red flag

6. Back pain Management in Primary Care 

7. Dermatology for General Practice  

8. Gynae & Menopause

9. Contraception and Sexual Health 

10. Antimicrobial Stewardship  

11. Mental Health Disorders

12. Gastro Intestinal Disorders 

• Demonstrate knowledge of pathophysiology in management of minor illnesses.
• Critically consider ethical and legal issues that influence decision-making in seeing and treating minor ailments and working in independent roles.
• Reflect on risk management constraints when planning a safe discharge or referral to other agencies and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Develop skills in ensuring clinical practice is evidence based through engagement with local organisation policy and current health strategy in primary care.
• Recognise importance of multi-professional working for effective and safe management of minor ailments 

• *On completion, you are encouraged to complete the skills portfolio in your clinical environment supported by a mentor. You will develop skills   to assess patients with a variety of presenting complaints  and undertake assessment and treatment of minor illness conditions of the respiratory, abdominal and gastrointestinal systems, dermatology, ophthalmic, ENT, sexual health, musculoskeletal, mental healt

1. 30 CPD Credits from CPDUK

2. 6 Months access to some recordings and the handouts.

3. Booklet for each learning unit

4. Audio recordings by specialists for some of the sessions.

5. Case based MCQS to review learning

6. Opportunity to reflect on learning and references for further reading.

Jeshni Amblum Almer ANP and Course Director

Dr Hasan Nour A&E Registrar

Dr Parmy Deol A&E and Urgent Care Consultant

Dr Varun Kumar Dermatology

Dr Ahmed Kazmi Dermatology Consultant

Dr Hayley Jenkins GPWSI Women’s Health FSRSH

Dr Jose Crespo GP