Effective report writing
3 December 2026
9:30 - 16:00
In-person
Horizon Leeds, 2 Brewery Wharf Kendell Street, Leeds, LS10 1JR
Leadership
Governance
Overview
Write reports that inform clear, confident decisions
Clear, well-structured reports are critical to effective governance in the NHS. This one-day course is designed for NHS staff who write or contribute to papers for boards and committees.
It offers practical guidance on structuring and writing reports that are easy to follow, help busy leaders focus on key issues, and support sound decision-making. Whether you are new to report writing or looking to sharpen your skills, this training offers valuable techniques to improve your practice.
Key takeaways
- Understand the purpose of board and committee papers and what decision-makers need from them.
- Learn how to structure reports to support clarity, transparency, and good governance.
- Develop skills to write clearly and succinctly without losing important detail.
- Gain tips for presenting complex information in a way that highlights priorities and recommended actions.
- Share experiences with peers and learn practical approaches to common challenges.
Why this matters
Given the unprecedented challenges facing NHS organisations, decision makers need information that is clear, focused, and actionable. This course helps NHS leaders and report writers to craft board and committee reports that present complex issues and recommendations effectively, which supports effective discussion and confident decision making in meetings.
This was an excellent day – brilliant facilitators with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Thank you so much for such a high quality day, one of the best courses I have attended.
What we'll cover
- A core set of principles that enable effective reports across different meeting settings.
- The key features of reports including cover sheets, executive summaries, and presenting data.
- Explore the relationship between the report writer and board/committee members.
- Gaining an understanding of the impact that reports can have on the efficiency and effectiveness of decision making.
- Develop an understanding of assurance and the importance of providing evidence-based assurance in your reports.
- Deliver practical exercises to help you to improve the quality of reports, the presenting of papers, and the ultimate discussion and decision making that occurs.
The course runs from 9.30am to 4pm (subject to change).
Trainers
Madelaine Warburton
Associate - Board Development Programme
NHS Providers
Peter Howie
Associate - Board Development Programme
NHS Providers
Pricing
This training is open Members and Non-Members of The NHS Alliance.
NHS Alliance Member: £355 (ex VAT) | £426 (incl. VAT)
Non-Member: £532.50 (ex VAT) | £639 (incl. VAT)
You will need to provide a purchase order number at booking to confirm your place on this course. Card payments are also accepted.
Follow the ‘Book now’ link at the top of this page to book your place. You will need to create an account if you have not already done so.
Well delivered and great content that will no doubt prove invaluable for my (and my teams) future report writing.
Who should attend
All those faced with preparing board and committee papers including:
- Executive directors.
- Associate directors.
- Those tasked with writing board and committee reports.
Bring this training to your trust
Delivered in-house and shaped around your priorities — helping your board embed learning, strengthen alignment and make smarter use of time and budget.
Enquire now
