London Deanery's Language and Communication Resource Unit (LaCRU) was launched in November 2010.  The service was set up as a resource for doctors and dentists working in multi-cultural London to enhance their communication skills, enabling them to deliver the best possible care to patients and to realise their full potential working within the NHS.

Communicating effectively and confidently to patients and other professionals is key to providing an excellent health service and leads to increased professional fulfilment. Patients respond to and are satisfied by doctors and dentists who give them confidence about the care they are receiving by communicating well and helping them to understand their health issues clearly.

We offer doctors and dentists a choice of educational modules on: communication skills within the consultation and with colleagues; breaking bad news; presenting within the team; writing for clinical practice; and language and cultural competence.

In partnership with Acute and Primary Care Trusts, the Language and Communication Resource Unit will support communication skills training for all doctors working in London including UK graduates, as well as the delivery of induction and cultural adaptation courses for new International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and EU doctors and dentists coming to work in the NHS.