Consultation Skills Essentials Course
A one-day online course to help you get ahead early and build consultation skills that actually work.
Friday 5 June 2026
09:00 – 16:00
Via Zoom
This is a pilot course.
Places are limited (25 available) and early demand will determine future sessions.
Overview
Most trainees only start focusing seriously on consultation skills later in training, when pressure is high and time is short.
By then, many have tried different approaches but still feel stuck when consultations don’t go to plan. We’ve built this course to change that. Consultation Skills Essentials focuses on the core skills that make a real difference in everyday consultations, helping you develop confidence in managing consultations safely and effectively
By building these foundations early, preparing for assessments like the SCA becomes far more manageable.
You’ll learn how to:
Know what to do next in a consultation
Avoid getting stuck or going in circles
Handle uncertainty when things aren’t clear
Get to what really matters for the patient
Think through problems in a structured way
Explain and agree plans effectively
These are the skills experienced clinicians rely on and the same skills that underpin strong performance in real practice.
Who is this for?
ST1–ST2 GP trainees
Anyone who feels unsure what to do next in consultations
Trainees who feel stuck, lack confidence, or want a clearer approach
Those frustrated with overly scripted or hard-to-apply training
Course format
Live, interactive online course with:
Practical teaching
Worked examples
Small group discussion
Real consultation focus
No scripts. No theory overload. Just what actually works.
Study leave
This course supports the development of core GP consultation skills, including communication, clinical reasoning, and managing uncertainty. These are essential for safe and effective practice and align with the GP curriculum.
It is often eligible for study leave funding (local approval applies).
A receipt and certificate of attendance will be provided for claims.
Meet the Educators
Dr Mohan Kumar
GP | Associate Dean | PCME
Mohan is a GP based in Wigan and Associate Dean of Primary Care. He is an experienced trainer, appraiser, and facilitator, working closely with GP trainees across all stages of training. He has a strong interest in consultation skills, problem-solving, and resilience in clinical practice.
Dr Julian Tomkinson
GP | previous TPD | PCME
Julian is a GP and experienced Primary Care Medical Educator based in Greater Manchester. He has worked extensively as a Training Programme Director, supporting the development of GP trainees throughout their training journey.
Dr Anne Thomas
GP | PCME
Anne is a highly experienced GP and medical educator based in Manchester. She has worked as a course organiser for a GP training scheme and has played a key role in developing consultation skills teaching within GP training programmes.
About TALC
This course is built on the foundation of consultationskills.com (TALC), a widely used consultation skills resource developed by experienced NHS clinicians.
Grounded in peer-reviewed evidence and aligned with the Calgary-Cambridge framework, TALC supports how consultation skills are taught, learned, and applied in real clinical practice.
It is used by over 6,000 clinicians across the UK and internationally, supporting trainees, educators, and practising clinicians to build safer, more effective, and more compassionate consultations.
Feedback from our previous teaching sessions
I used to feel stuck in consultations, but this gave me a clear structure I can actually use – ST2
This is the first training I’ve done that actually translates into real consultations – ST1
I feel much more confident and less lost when things don’t go to plan – ST2
