Assessment and Management of Minor Injuries (degree and masters level) (HEAE307/APP775)

A skills-based minor injuries module combining academic study with competency-based clinical assessment, enabling healthcare professionals to develop and demonstrate the capabilities required for safe, autonomous minor injury practice.
CPD for healthcare professionals
Minor injuries skills and practice interventions (Image courtesy of Pixabay)

Assessment and Management of Minor Injuries (degree and masters level) (HEAE307/APP775)

A skills-based minor injuries module combining academic study with competency-based clinical assessment, enabling healthcare professionals to develop and demonstrate the capabilities required for safe, autonomous minor injury practice.
CPD for healthcare professionals

Key features

  • Develop clinical competence through skills-based learning
    • Learn through skills-focused teaching that mirrors real-world minor injury practice, including clinical assessment, history taking, examination, decision making, diagnosis, management planning, referral, and safety netting.
    • Develop competence in the assessment and management of patients presenting with a wide range of common minor injuries through case-based learning, clinical discussion, and practical application.
    • Dedicated wound assessment and closure workshop 
    • Build confidence in autonomous practice while working within the legal, ethical, and professional boundaries of your role.
    • Apply evidence-based approaches to the assessment and management of adults, older people, children and pregnant patients presenting with minor injuries.
    • Consolidate learning through supervised clinical practice within a suitable minor injury setting.
Module code

HEAE307/APP775

Credits

20

FHEQ level

Level 6 – bachelors degree

Level 7 – masters degree

Location

Plymouth

 

HEAE307 course details (degree level)

At the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Evaluate the legal and ethical principles associated with autonomous practice, clinical decision making and risk stratification. 
  • Demonstrate and critically apply high-level clinical knowledge when assessing a variety of body systems, with an additional highlighted focus on the underpinning Anatomy and Physiology.
  • Reflect on their effectiveness as an autonomous practitioner, with reference to management of minor injury in individual clinical settings.
  • Provide critical analysis of evidence-based management of minor injury.
  • Analyse the professional issues, decision- making theories and national policies surrounding advancing practice and unscheduled care.
  • Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning and critical understanding of the complexities of the diagnosis and management of the older patient, the child, and the pregnant patient in the context of the presentation of a minor injury within their scope of practice.

Assessment

Assessment is designed to evaluate both academic achievement and clinical competence.
Students will complete:
  • A written assignment demonstrating critical analysis, clinical reasoning and application of evidence-based practice.
  • A supervised practice portfolio that evidences achievement of specified clinical competencies in the assessment and management of minor injuries. This is a workplace-based assessment and mentor verification of competence within an appropriate clinical setting.
 Successful completion of the module requires demonstration of safe and effective practice as well as achievement of the academic learning outcomes.



APP775 course details (masters level)

 At the end of the module you will be able to:
  • Critically evaluate the legal and ethical principles associated with autonomous practice, clinical decision making and risk stratification.
  • Demonstrate and critically apply high-level clinical knowledge when assessing a variety of body systems, with an additional highlighted focus on the underpinning Anatomy and Physiology. 
  • Critically reflect on their effectiveness as an autonomous practitioner, with reference to management of minor injury in individual clinical settings.
  • Provide an advanced critical analysis of evidence based management of minor injury.
  • Critically analyse the professional issues, decision-making theories and national policies surrounding advancing practice and unscheduled care.
  • Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning and critical understanding of the complexities of the diagnosis and management of the older patient, the child, and the pregnant patient in the context of the presentation of a minor injury within their scope of practice.
Assessment

Assessment is designed to evaluate both academic achievement and clinical competence.
Students will complete:
  • A written assignment demonstrating critical analysis, clinical reasoning and application of evidence-based practice.
  • A supervised practice portfolio that evidences achievement of specified clinical competencies in the assessment and management of minor injuries. This is a workplace-based assessment and mentor verification of competence within an appropriate clinical setting.
 Successful completion of the module requires demonstration of safe and effective practice as well as achievement of the academic learning outcomes.


Admissions information 

Additional information and documentation required for the application process.
  • Application forms. 
  • Change of name forms.
  • Pre-course information.
  • Downloadable guides.
  • Student card.
Admissions information Additional information and documentation required for the application process.Access to application forms, download guides and confirmation information. Visit our admissions homepage.

Module dates

Provisional 2026/27 dates:
Delivery 1: 24 September, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 October 2026 (Submission: 14 December 2026)
Delivery 2: 4, 11, 18 March, 1, 8, 15 April 2027 (Submission: 20 May 2027)
Occasionally, delivery dates might be subject to change – always check with the module lead or Professional Development Unit (last updated 23/09/25)
Please be aware that all modules run to minimum numbers. If numbers are low, this module may be rescheduled to an alternative date. This module is also subject to maximum numbers.

What programmes can these modules count towards?

 The degree level module can be studied as a standalone module or as an optional module for BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Health and Social Care.
The masters level module can be studied as a standalone module or as an optional module for MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Nursing and Midwifery Professions) and MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Clinical Practitioner).
For further information, please contact the Professional Development Unit.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be registered health or social care professionals working in clinical practice and hold:
  • A Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) for the degree-level module (HEAE307).
  • A Level 6 qualification (or equivalent) for the master's-level module (APP775). 
Practice Placement Requirement
As part of the competency-based assessment strategy, students must have access to an appropriate clinical placement where they can develop and evidence the required minor injury competencies. This placement must provide regular exposure to patients presenting with minor injuries and support from a suitably qualified autonomous practitioner who can supervise and assess competence development.

All applications are considered individually. Please contact the Professional Development Unit (PDU) or module lead if you would like to discuss your eligibility

Fees 

Further information

For further information regarding this module, please contact:
Professional Development Unit
Floor 9, InterCity Place, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 6AB
Prospective student enquiries: pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1752 586951
Current student enquiries: pdu@plymouth.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1752 586950

Module lead