Click here for all current opportunities

Learn+ is our trust-wide system for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation trust where colleagues can access learning, courses, and other professional development resources including appraisals, mandatory training and 121s.

You can access Learn+ from any device. Log in using your NHS email and password.

This can be done via learnplus.ndevon.swest.nhs.uk/login/index.php or for Northern services users, by clicking the Learn+ icon from Zenworks. 

Specific links 

Please note the following links will take you to the Learn+ login screen first. You may need to login, then try the link again.

• Clinical Audit and effectiveness: 
• Delivering Quality Improvement: Bronze 
• Delivering Quality Improvement: Silver  
• Delivering Quality Improvement: Gold 
• EPIC training - advanced reporting and advanced Slicer Dicer 
• 1:1 writing support with Miranda France
• Small group sessions with Miranda 
• Reflective writing workshop with Miranda 
• Writing with confidence with Miranda 
• Starting to write for publication  

NHS England has launched two new, free e-learning modules designed to help develop a research culture across the entire health service. These can be found on the NHS learning hub, available to all NHS staff via the electronic staff record system.

'What is Health Research' is tailored for NHS staff who are not currently research active but wish to enhance their knowledge and understanding of research in the NHS.

Both are self-paced modules:

• Awareness and foundation
• Supporting research participants

You can access them here.

A range of free online courses is available to help build knowledge and confidence in research and evidence‑based practice.

 These include nationally recognised training accessed via NIHR Learn, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Introduction to Health Research, which are suitable for staff at different stages of research involvement.

Additional learning is available through platforms such as FutureLearn, offering short, flexible courses on clinical research, improving health outcomes and related topics.

These courses can be accessed at a time that suits you and are a useful starting point for those new to research, as well as for those looking to refresh or broaden their skills.

The Chief Nurse Research Fellowship Programme offers nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists and health care scientists (bands 5-7) a funded opportunity to learn more about health research.

The Royal Devon has successfully run this programme since 2020. The course runs part-time over 10 months (one day per fortnight).

Learn more on the CNRF pages here. 

We work closely with the University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth to support colleagues along their masters journey.

For more information about funding and applications, please get in touch, or discover more about the available options via:

• The University of Exeter
• MSc Leading Clinical Research Delivery (Online) | University of Exeter
• MSc Health Research Methods | Masters Degrees | University of Exeter

• The University of Plymouth
• MClinRes Clinical Research - University of Plymouth

Training and development opportunities are also available through research programmes and personal awards offered at local, regional and national levels. This includes NIHR training pathways across all career stages, from early opportunities such as the South West NIHR Internship, through to Pre‑doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowships (PCAF) and PhD‑level awards.

Additional training, development and methodological support is available through organisations such as PenARC and Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs), helping staff to build research skills, access expert advice and progress their clinical academic careers.

These opportunities are offered at different points throughout the year, with application windows opening on a rolling or annual basis depending on the scheme.

Application timelines and eligibility criteria vary, and support is available to help you identify suitable opportunities and develop a strong application.

To ensure you are viewing the most up‑to‑date information, please check the Current Opportunities drop‑down at the top of the page, which highlights the latest training and development calls as they become available.

A range of general and leadership training opportunities is available to support professional development alongside clinical and research roles.

These include development programmes and scholarships offered by national organisations such as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), The King’s Fund, and the Florence Nightingale Foundation, which focus on leadership capability, influence, service improvement and strategic thinking.

These opportunities are suitable for staff at different career stages who wish to develop leadership skills, broaden their impact within healthcare settings and support future career progression.

Discover more:

• The Kings Fund
• Florence Nightingale Foundation
• The Royal College of Nursing
• The Royal College of Radiologists
• General Pharmaceutical Council

Boost your writing confidence with our Writer in Residence – a free Trust resource.

A writer in residence is a programme where an experienced writer is invited into an organisation to support colleagues with their writing. Funded through the Royal Literary Fund, writers are placed in universities, NHS Trusts, and other organisations offering free workshops and one-to-ones to help teams and individuals boost their writing skills, with a focus on structure, style and voice.

This free resource is a brilliant opportunity for the Royal Devon, helping colleagues across the Trust to strengthen their writing and make it as impactful as possible.

Opportunities to gain support with writing can be accessed via 1:1 support or small bespoke group support (available on request to Miranda.France@nhs.com) and workshops which are accessible via Learn+.

The Clinical Academic Training & Careers Hub (CATCH) is the home for information on clinical academic careers, showcasing opportunities, guidance, and inspiration for your journey.

CATCH covers all aspects of clinical academic careers across multiple healthcare disciplines, offering step-by-step guidance for aspiring academics in all four UK nations.

This site provides an accessible introduction to what these careers involve, who they suit and how to take your first steps, with links to further resources for those ready to explore in more depth. You can also explore interviews featuring inspiring academics sharing their experiences and insights.

Visit the website here

• 'What is Health Research' free NHS England e-learning
• NIHR Learn 
• NIHR Exeter BRC seminar series
• NIHR Associate PI training scheme
• NIHR academy 
• NIHR resources
• NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West Peninsula
• SW Commercial Research website health research guide
• Guidance for students 
• NHS Knowledge and Library Search Hub
• Clinical Audit
• NHS England – Evidence & Evaluation Resources
• Q Community (Health Foundation)
• Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP)
• Guidance for students
• Royal Devon Research Academy support and contacts
• Research Toolkit for Matrons and other health care leaders