Date: 7 September to 15 November 2026
Venue: Fully online with Amathuba (UCT's E- Learning Platform)
Time: 10-week course consisting of a range of teaching and learning activities, requiring approximately 4 hours weekly. An assignment is due each week on a Sunday evening. All activities completed in your own time.

Course fee is R 5 340 per person

Register Online

Last date for applications: 24 April 2026

This course aims to introduce healthcare professionals caring for children with tracheostomy, to essential knowledge and skills. An assessment of clinical skills competence in the participants clinical setting is recommended.

The course is run by the Harry Crossley Children’s Nursing Development Unit in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Cape Town.

Entry Requirements: All applicants need to:

  • Have completed basic nurse training and be registered with the South African Nursing Council (or equivalent) as a Professional or Enrolled Nurse. Applicants from other healthcare professions are also welcome and similarly need to have completed relevant basic training and be suitably registered with the appropriate professional body.
  • Be working in a paediatric setting where they regularly or occasionally, are involved in the care of children with a tracheostomy, and their families OR in a predominantly adult setting where, at times, are involved in the care of children with a tracheostomy, and their families.
  • It is highly recommended that applicants first complete the 16-week Essentials of Nursing Sick Children or Critically Sick Children short course to gain key foundational knowledge.

Course Format

The courses are all offered FULLY ONLINE asynchronously through Amathuba (UCT’s learning management system). This means that: 

  • There is no need to be in class, or even online, at any set time in the week. The course can be completed at a time to suit the participant, scheduled around other family/work/life commitments.
  • Each participant requires easy and regular access to a computer (not just a smartphone) and a reliable, strong internet connection.

Lessons

  • A new lesson is released each week, on Monday at 08h00 and will require approx. 3 hours of work.
  • Each lesson consists of a set of learning activities and one assignment which is due on Sunday evening.
  • Learning activities and assignments will commonly require engagement with children, families and clinical staff.

All courses are offered in English only.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1.    Articulate their role, within the complex system and environments in which children with tracheostomies are
nursed to ensure safe and efficient care for best possible outcomes.
2.    Explain the anatomical, physiological and developmental differences across the age-span of a child, and how this impacts the indication for a tracheostomy, the procedure and the required nature of care.
3.    More confidently provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care to children with a tracheostomy using the Regul8 Framework as a guide.
4.    Recognise and utilise the important supportive role and resource of the principal caregiver and family in the pathway of a child with a tracheostomy.

N.B. It is to be noted that the course contains information relevant to all health professionals working with children with tracheostomies but it is written by nurses, with a focus on nursing.

A digital certificate will be issued to participants who have completed and submitted all learning activities and assignments to an adequate standard.

All courses are registered with the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) at UCT. As soon as is viable, they will be registered for South African Nursing Council Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. The courses do not carry any academic credit but are designed at a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 7.

Please note that places on the course are limited. Apply early as places are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.

N.B. If offered a place, FULL payment is required within 4 weeks. Failure to make payment within this time will result in loss of your place on the course. 

A limited number of bursaries are available. For more information contact cndu@uct.ac.za or visit their website.