ACTION COURSE 2026

The ACTION™ Course is a multi-professional programme to train staff in recognising patient deterioration and act appropriately in treating the acutely unwell. Originally developed in 1999 by Professor Gary Smith and colleagues at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, ACTION™ (ALERT™ in UK and Europe), has now run successfully since 2000 and is currently delivered in over 100 centres internationally.

ACTION is a hybrid learning programme (consisting online and onsite learning workshops) and uses a structured and prioritised system of patient assessment and management to enable pre-emptive approach to critical illness. The ACTION course is designed to help ward-based doctors, nurses and allied health professionals manage the deteriorating patient safely and successfully. By attending an ACTION course, candidates will develop skills to: 

• recognise the 'at risk' patient 

• identify organ impairment/failure at an early stage 

• initiate simple treatment required to prevent the cascade of multi-organ failure

• improve communication skills required to facilitate further care

TARGET AUDIENCE
Ward-based medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals caring for patients