Access to HE (Health Professions)

This course is suitable for individuals returning to education, changing career paths, or re-entering learning after time away. It is ideal for those with GCSE passes in maths and English who need a Level 3 qualification for university entry or higher-level apprenticeships, including people seeking to progress after a career break or time spent raising children.

This course focuses on the key characteristics and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, including the need for appropriate education, training, professional registration, and adherence to regulatory standards to maintain public trust. It emphasises patient-centred care and NHS values such as compassion, respect, dignity, teamwork, and commitment to high-quality care. Effective communication is highlighted as essential to professional practice, covering verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, common barriers to understanding, and differences between professionals and patients. Strong teamworking is also central, with benefits including improved patient outcomes, reduced errors, increased efficiency, and shared skills, supported through clear roles, feedback, training, and reflective practice.

The course also addresses risk management, problem-solving, and ongoing professional development in healthcare settings. Students learn to identify and analyse risks, apply different problem-solving models, and choose appropriate approaches depending on the situation, including dynamic decision-making in complex or acute care scenarios. Reflection is presented as a core skill, supporting continuous professional development through self-assessment and the creation of a personal development plan. This involves setting realistic and challenging goals, selecting suitable learning activities, and regularly reviewing progress to support continuous improvement in personal and professional practice.