Injection Training

One study found that after a standardised education program, the percentage of patients who would self-inject increased from 68% to an incredible 91%!

Research also shows that immediately injecting during an adrenal crisis significantly reduces the chance of having to be admitted to hospital (38% of self-injecting patients were hospitalised vs. 73% who waited for a healthcare professional). This shows that acting early, which requires the ability for you or someone close to you to inject, is critical. 

Both the NICE Guidelines for the Identification and Management of Adrenal Insufficiency and research strongly recommend that all patients with adrenal insufficiency and their caregivers receive an emergency kit and be trained in its use. Family, friends and colleagues being involved in training is key for those situations when you may not be well enough to self-inject.

If you have not been prescribed the medication for an emergency hydrocortisone injection kit, read our FAQs section on the Emergency Injection page for next steps.

Training should be practical, hands-on, and ideally repeated throughout the year to help you remember the steps involved.

What training options are there?

Ask your endocrine team for training

Depending on your endocrine team and their resources, you may be able to join regular training sessions organised by your hospital, or you may be able to ask your nurse for a refresher during your follow-up appointments or at another time. Ask your endocrinology nurse or endocrinologist what they are offering.

However, with the ongoing pressures on the NHS, most hospitals are unable to provide individual training, so if you're told this isn't available, we've got you! Read on for more options.

Attend an ADSHG injection training session

In the past, we offered injection training during our larger meetings. However, due to demand, we're now generally hosting them separately to reach more people. Starting in 2026, the ADSHG will host new injection training sessions at locations across the UK. We are reliant on funding, so we will add in more locations as soon as we are able to. 

Each session will be led by endocrine nurses who kindly volunteer their time to support the charity and our community. When arranged, details will be shared through our member emails and social media channels, plus on our Events page. There will be a small charge for attending, with a discount for ADSHG members.

Join the charity to hear first and save your spot!

Videos and picture 'How To' leaflets

Most people learn by watching our YouTube practice videos and following the 'how to' picture instruction leaflets. This is due to ongoing pressures on the NHS, meaning nurses are unable to provide individual training.

YouTube Injection Instruction videos

The videos and leaflets allow you to practise at a time that suits you, with multiple friends, family or colleagues. You can also revisit the steps whenever you need a reminder. 

Use an Injection Training Kit to practice at home

In November 2025, we launched our Injection Training Kits. These have been designed to allow you to practise your injection skills at home, to build your confidence in the steps needed. You just need to 'add an orange'!  See below for more information.

Kit contents:

A sturdy plastic carry box with a handle-secured lid (22 x 10 x 4cm) and a label that reads 'Injection Training Kit'

• 4x BD Emerald 2ml Syringes AND 4 x BD Eclipse 23G x 1 (blue) needles with Safeslip Technology.
• 4x disposable Amp Snaps (for opening glass vial).
• 4 x vials of water and 2 x empty sample bottles similar to the bottle that Hydrocortisone Powder is packaged in.
• Concertina-folded photo instructions.
• Spare needles, syringes and water vials can be purchased separately from our shop to keep your training kit topped up. You can also use unused but expired needles and syringes that you may have left over to practise with.

Our Injection Training Kits contain everything you need to practise the steps involved in giving an emergency injection, and allow you to practise a minimum of four injections (the empty vials can be reused more times than this).  

Using an orange is a safe, easy and realistic way to learn what it feels like before injecting yourself or someone else. When you push the needle through the peel, it’s like going through skin, and the soft part inside is like the muscle under our skin.

NB: Our injection kits are for practising only, not for use in an adrenal crisis.

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