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Hull Truck Theatre’s Award-Winning Training Programme for Healthcare Professionals

11 July 2025

Hull Truck Theatre’s Creative Learning team have successfully piloted a new theatre and drama-based initiative to deliver a unique and impactful General Practitioner (GP) training programme, working with regional NHS healthcare provider. 

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The initial aim of the three-year project was to transform professional healthcare development by using the transformative power of drama to enhance the essential human skills that lie at the heart of quality patient care. This bespoke training has provided opportunities for GPs to blend medical knowledge with interpersonal skills, building their confidence to handle often complex consultations.

On Friday 4 July 2025, Hull Truck Theatre’s Associate Director, Tom Saunders was formally recognised for his innovative training programme in the ‘Innovator’ category at the Hull & East Yorkshire People In Business Awards (PIBA), which took place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Hull. The award acknowledged how the programme effectively uses theatre and drama as a powerful tool for professional development, bringing creativity and human connection to the forefront of medical practice, whilst supporting the NHS' commitment to compassionate, patient-centred care.

Tom Saunders, Associate Director at Hull Truck Theatre, said: 

“Naturally, at Hull Truck Theatre, we believe in the amazing teaching and development tool that is theatre and drama. These sessions are not designed to be taught but instead are based on the idea that collectively, participants can solve their problems together. It’s been such a fascinating insight into the way that general practice works, and we’ve been so impressed with how to open and responsive the doctors have been to the training model. 

“Hull” is the most important word in our company’s name and what better gift can we offer our community than by supporting the local health service to train empathetic and caring doctors.”

The project has been so successful that it will be once again rolled out for another three-year term. Through these tried and tested methods, GPs will continue to practice critical thinking and decision-making in a safe, supported and reflective environment, which is facilitated by Hull Truck Theatre. The goal is to ensure the GPs leave the training feeling empowered having collectively collaborated to problem-solve and share professional lived experiences.

Emma Harkin, Salaried GP and GP Trainer, Hull and East Riding GP Training Scheme (HaERTS), said: 

"Communication is the greatest tool available to GPs. The sessions at Hull Truck Theatre have helped our trainees refine their ability to connect with patients in a fun and creative space."

The success of the GP Training Programme has led to a series of other related initiatives using theatre as a tool to develop healthcare professionals, including bespoke training sessions about managing difficult conversation and conflict resolution with diverse teams across the region.

The organisation is also now diversifying into other sectors, such as telecommunications, construction and retail – offering individually tailored training solutions to address industry specific challenges.

Are you seeking a creative way to engage and support your team in training and team building? To find out how Hull Truck Theatre could help make your business the star of the show, visit https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/about-us/corporate-training/.