Training
Many clinicians working in primary care and other healthcare settings will care for patients who have experienced torture, trafficking, persecution, or other forms of human rights abuse. These experiences often remain undisclosed during routine consultations, leaving important health and safeguarding needs unrecognised. Clinicians may feel unsure how to ask about trauma, how to respond safely, or how to document disclosures appropriately.
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TortureID provides practical training to support healthcare professionals in recognising and responding to human rights abuses in clinical practice. Our training equips clinicians with the skills and confidence to identify possible indicators of abuse, enquire sensitively about trauma, document disclosures safely, and support patients through appropriate safeguarding and referral pathways.
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The importance of sensitively asking about human rights abuses is now being positively promoted by NHS leaders, reflecting growing recognition that routine enquiry can improve patient care, strengthen safeguarding, and help identify unmet health needs.
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Our approach is rooted in clinical independence, humanitarian principles, human rights, and the inherent dignity and worth of every person.
What the training helps you doÂ
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
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recognise possible indicators of torture and other human rights abuses
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understand the health needs of asylum seekers, refugees and other vulnerable groups
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ask about trauma safely and sensitively in clinical consultations
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document disclosures appropriately in clinical records
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understand safeguarding responsibilities and referral pathways
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support patients through appropriate signposting and services
Training impact
1,300+
100%
Clinicians trained
Recommendation rate
TortureID training is already being delivered across NHS training programmes and medical schools to clinicians working with vulnerable and marginalised populations.
Delivered across:
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Yorkshire and East of England GP Registrars
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Health Equity Focused Training (HEFT) programme
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Post-CCT GP Trailblazer Fellowship
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Undergraduate medical education programmes at Leeds, Manchester, and Lancashire
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RCPsych Forced Migration Learning Day 2026
What the training involves
​Training is delivered as interactive sessions, typically lasting 60–120 minutes, and can be adapted for different audiences and settings.
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Sessions include:
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real clinical case studies
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practical communication strategies
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guidance on documentation and safeguarding
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opportunities for discussion and reflection
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Training can be delivered in person or online for NHS organisations, educational programmes and voluntary sector partners.
Who the training is for
Our training is suitable for clinicians and organisations working with asylum-seeking, refugee and other marginalised populations, including:
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GPs and GP registrars
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primary care clinicians and practice teams
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medical students and early-career doctors
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clinicians working in refugee and migrant health servicesÂ
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NHS and voluntary sector organisations supporting vulnerable groups
What participants say
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Relevant to primary care and covers a vulnerable patient group often overlooked in GP training.
GP registrar
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A well needed reminder about the role of doctors as humanitarians. The speakers were knowledgeable and passionate.
GP registrar
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Some really useful insights. As a group, I think we’re all interested in potentially being involved in this work in the future.
GP registrar
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Seeing how severe the physical manifestations of trauma and torture can be was surprising and made me realise I should consider this when treating patients in the future.
MEDICAL STUDENT, University of Leeds
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Learning how to phrase questions when asking about abuse was really helpful. It was reassuring to hear that people often want to be asked about it.
GP
TortureID is continuing to develop a programme of training for clinicians working with asylum seekers, refugees and other marginalised populations. This includes expanding delivery across NHS training programmes and medical schools, as well as developing online learning resources and future educational events.Â
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If you would like to hear about upcoming training opportunities, you can register your interest below.Â