NHS Online Course | Foundations of Medical Terminology

Professional development

Tue 20 Jan 2026 09:30-15:30

Online Course, 5 CPD Hours

Essential training designed to enhance clarity, confidence and professionalism when using medical terminology in healthcare settings

Led by the engaging Dr Rachel Hooke, this highly practical and supportive training day is designed to demystify medical language, helping you to communicate more clearly, accurately and confidently in your role. Whether you are supporting patients, collaborating with clinical teams or processing medical information, this essential course will provide the tools to reduce misunderstandings, minimise risk and foster professionalism across your service.

Additional professional development opportunities are available - click here to explore more

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Foundations of Medical Terminology for Better Communication

Online 5 CPD hours From £299+VAT

5 hour Continuing Professional Development: what you will learn

By investing one day in this online training course, you will:

Boost your confidence when speaking, writing or interpreting medical terms
Avoid errors caused by miscommunication or misinterpretation
Enhance your credibility when liaising with clinical colleagues and patients
Understand terminology in context, helping you feel more equipped and efficient in your role
Leave feeling empowered, knowledgeable and ready to apply your learning immediately

This is a unique opportunity to build confidence in your communication and contribute to a more accurate, safe and professional healthcare environment.

Designed for your convenience: join this NHS online workshop remotely

This course is available for in-house training

9:30	Registration, technical support and networking opportunity
10:00	Introduction, instructions and course leader’s opening remarks Dr Rachel Hooke, Medical Terminology Trainer
Medical terminology structure, word components
10:10	Discover the building blocks of medical language Exploring roots, prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms – how to decode and construct medical terms Plurals, nouns, adjectives- what changes and why it matters Hyphens and other punctuation – avoiding confusion with simple fixes
10:40	Questions and answers with Dr Rachel Hooke
10:50	Exercise-based workshop: Applying your knowledge in practice Working through realistic examples to reinforce your learning and understanding of medical terminology
11:20	Screen break
Medical terminology myths
11:30	Challenging the myths: what do medical terms really mean? Assessing patients’ misunderstandings and misinterpretation with medical terminology Exploring historical myths and outdated beliefs Discovering how media distorts medical language and how to
12:10	Questions and answers with Dr Rachel Hooke
12:20	Networking lunch
Navigating medical terminology challenges
12:40	Overcoming communication pitfalls with practical solutions Addressing the dangers of Googling and unverified AI content Practical tips of when and where to seek accurate terminology and support Navigating UK vs US spelling and pronunciation variations
1:20	Questions and answers with Dr Rachel Hooke
1:30	Exercise-based workshop: Applying your knowledge in practice Working through realistic examples to reinforce your learning and understanding of medical terminology
2:00	Screen break
Pronunciation of medical terms
2:10	Mastering medical pronunciation Understanding dictation in healthcare environments Difference in pronunciation among professionals and why it matters Supporting patients with their pronunciation struggles Addressing common media misrepresentations of medical language
2:50	Final questions and answers with Dr Rachel Hooke
Build an action plan
3:00	Interactive discussion: Embedding your learning into daily practice Share a key insight you’re taking away from today that will change how you use or explain medical terminology in your role? What barriers to clear medical communication have you encountered in your workplace – and how could todays strategies help you overcome them?
3:30	Close of day

Bringing a wealth of expertise and knowledge

Dr Rachel Hooke

Job Title:

Medical Terminology Trainer

Organisation

Freelance

Biography

Dr Rachel Hooke is a language specialist and experienced trainer with a unique background in both clinical practice and medical administration. She specialises in medical terminology, plain English and communication skills for healthcare staff at all levels. Rachel’s engaging, practical sessions empower professionals to communicate clearly, reduce errors and boost confidence.

Key skills

Medical terminology, plain English, patients’ colloquialisms
Communication and interpersonal skills advice
Public speaking and guest lecturing
Writing for medical and lay audiences
Designing and delivering training for diverse healthcare staff
Creating educational materials and role-play scenarios
Advocacy

Experience

Rachel is a highly experienced healthcare professional with a strong track record in training, writing, communication and workforce management. She is a qualified doctor, language specialist and businesswoman. She has also worked as a medical secretary and administrator.

With over three decades’ experience across national and regional healthcare bodies, Rachel has led complex projects, developed policy and delivered training with impact.

Her scope of work spans medical terminology, medical staffing, patient safety and quality assurance, underpinned by a commitment to effective communication and continuous learning.

Rachel brings a unique blend of analytical insight and creative problem-solving, complemented by her freelance writing and public speaking experience in health and wellbeing. She possesses tremendous respect and empathy for staff at all levels.

Education and qualifications

Level 3 Award in Education and Training (“PTTLS” as was)
Postgraduate Diploma – Managing Health and Social Care
Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (DRCOG)
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)

Pricing Structure

Early bird - £299+VAT for one NHS or public sector place by Friday 28th November 2025
£399+VAT for one NHS or public sector place after Friday 28th November 2025

You or a colleague can claim the group NHS discount, for booking four places across this and any other subsequent event, providing the same pricing structure applies. Click here to view the full list of up coming events.

For group bookings of five or more people, please email our delegate support team or call 01732 897788 for further details

This course is available for in-house training

Available as a bespoke course to teams of 30+ people. Please do contact us if you would like this training delivered exclusively to your team, with the content developed to drill into the specific needs of your service. Please email Sarah Kemm or call 01732 897788 for further details.

Commercial companies are also invited to sponsor this day. Please email Sarah Kemm for further details.

Reservations

You can reserve a no-obligation place whilst you apply for funding

How this online forum will work

Once you have booked your place, SBK Healthcare will correspond with you using the email address you provided at the time of booking. Within one week of the online training taking place, you will be sent final details of the course including a full agenda, programme timings and your Zoom joining instructions. This email will include a joining link that can be used to access the course.

If you have not received your email two days before your event, do check your junk folder then contact SBK Healthcare on 01732 897788.

Practice sessions are available. If you would like to attend a zoom practice session before the event takes place, please let us know by emailing bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk. You will have the opportunity to meet an SBK Healthcare staff member who will ensure you are able to access zoom, that your camera and microphone work and you are fully set-up for the day. This is optional but if you do wish to attend, please use the same device that you plan to use on the day.

On the day, when registration starts, you will be able to join the course by initially entering a waiting room when there may be a short wait. The forum will include screen breaks, as well as topic themed interactive sessions which will take place in the breakout rooms.

Click here to view the specially created 5-minute video that will walk you through how to get the most out of attending your SBK Healthcare interactive online forum.

Terms and conditions

Certification of attendance

A certificate for Continuing Professional Development will be given to every fully registered participant who completes the course, as a record of your continuing professional training and development.

Registration fees

You will be sent an instant payment option or invoice on registration. Your payment is required in advance. If your fee has not been received prior to the event, and you are not able to provide a PO or proof of payment, you will be asked to make a credit or debit card payment on the day.

Modify registration

To let us know if your details are not correct when you have already registered, please email the bookings team.

Cancellations and substitutions

A full refund of fees will be made only for cancellations received within the first 48 hours of the booking being made. Notice of cancellation must be received in writing by emailing the bookings team at SBK Healthcare. Should you need to cancel your registration after this date, the registration fee remains payable in its entirety although a substitution will be accepted and conference documentation will be provided. Substitution attendees for delegates unable to attend after registering are acceptable at any time.

Event changes

It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of the conference organisers to alter the content, speakers or the timing of the programme. We will endeavour to keep you abreast of such changes but any unavoidable change to the format will not constitute a reason to refund the fee. Should the event be postponed, we will endeavour to reschedule the event. If, for reasons beyond the control of the conference organiser, the event is cancelled, a full refund will be made. We do not accept any liability for any incurred costs resulting from a postponement or cancellation.

Privacy notice

To view the details on how your data is being collected and used, please view our Privacy policy

Expected attendees

This online training is ideal for healthcare professionals keen to improve and ensure correct medical terminology throughout their role. This includes but is not limited to:

Administrative and clerical staff (Medical secretaries, Receptionists, Administrative Assistants, Clinical Coding Assistants)
Healthcare support roles
Allied health professional support staff
Non-Clinical Professionals working in healthcare settings (Clinical Governance Administrator, Quality Improvement Officers, Data Entry, Health Informatics)
New starters or trainees (Graduate Management Trainees, Junior Analysts, New Clinical Support Workers)

If you have a team that is 30 people or more, you can have a bespoke course delivered online to your team alone. Please contact Sarah Kemm or telephone 01732 897788.

Past attendee feedback

This online study day follows on from a history of crucial and successful workshops that have enhanced health services across the UK. But don’t take our word for it, check out some of the feedback:

"I found this a valuable experience, the chance to network with peers and learn from others was great"
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Oncology Leadership and Management Skills, June 2025

"Very insightful presentation with various topics covered”
Advanced Ventilation Training for ICU Physiotherapists, May 2025

“It was helpful to consolidate on knowledge and support confidence with future MDT discussions and decision making”
Advanced Ventilation Training for ICU Physiotherapists, June 2024

“Good mix of speakers / topics covered. Breakout rooms are a good addition to be able to find out what other teams are doing across the country“
Delivering Supportive Paediatric Palliative and End of Life Care, June 2023

“Very clear and concise in his presentation. Engaging and informative"
Advancing your Clinical Research Practitioner Role, September 2024

“Really useful - helping to solve real-world problems. Good to focus on what I would taking from it"
NHS Leadership Skills for Civility and Respect, November 2023

"A well-run workshop which has clearly been carefully cultivated to provide a good mixture of knowledge and first-hand experiences"
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Structuring and Reviewing Contracts for Clinical Research, 2020

Why sponsor?

Our role at SBK Healthcare is to bring industry together with healthcare professionals so that you can educate and inform your audience. These trail-blazing NHS delivery forums offer dedicated presentations, Q&A, networking and discussion time, each sponsor will be fully immersed into the event and able to effectively engage with your NHS audience.

Interested in having your own event, managed by us?

SBK Healthcare also provides in-house forums. Working closely with you as the client we can research, produce, market and deliver the conference or online forum that best suits the audience and meets your goals.

Foundations of Medical Terminology for Better Communication