Launch of the East Midlands Cancer Alliance (EMCA) Aspirant CNS Development Programme in Wessex

In the UK, the number of people living with a cancer diagnosis is set to double from more than 2 million in 2021 to 4 million in 2030. To support people affected by cancer the specialist cancer workforce currently needs an additional 2,500 specialist cancer nurses, an increase of 84%. By 2030, the gap between patient need and workforce capacity will have grown to 3,700 nurses, an increase of 123%.

To encourage more registered nurses to feel confident to join the cancer nursing workforce and begin to close this workforce gap, The East Midlands Cancer Alliance have created a development programme for registered nurses interested in a career as a CNS or key worker supporting people affected by cancer. EMCA have agreed that any nurses interested in a career in cancer (or have joined the cancer workforce with limited cancer knowledge) can access their programme, free of charge. Many of the modules will also be applicable to the AHP workforce, so please take a look at this great opportunity from EMCA.

Programme Information

The programme covers the following areas and provides an introduction to each section, linking out to nationally available free courses where appropriate:

Clinical Practice and scope of role
The role of a CNS/ Key worker
Patient Advocacy
MDT working
Safeguarding
Communication
Governance: Data security and information sharing
Research and evidenced based practice
Level 2 Psychology
Leadership

Introduction to Cancer:

Biological basis of cancer: the cell and cell cycle
Screening and prevention
Diagnosis
Staging and grading
Genomics

Cancer interventions:

Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy
Biological Therapy, Hormone Treatment, Stem Cell Transplant, Supportive Therapies
Impact of Cancer Therapies
Supportive and Palliative Care

Personalised Care and support interventions:

Personalised stratified follow up (PSFU) care
End of treatment summaries
Primary Care Cancer Review

EMCA Cancer CNS Development Programme – Website

Quote:

‘I’m loving it to be honest. There’s a good depth to it, lots of relevant links which I’ve read all of up to present, very easy to navigate, all external courses up to present easy to set up. Modules very well organised with required basics covered first and increasing in complexity as you work through it.’

(An aspiring cancer CNS in the East Midlands)

Wessex Workforce

Please sign up using the QR code on the EMCA poster or direct via the website

Note that a couple of modules share local offers in the East Midlands (e.g. Level 2 Psychology) and which will not be available to you. Please visit the WCA education and training page for Wessex wide offers.

Please use the ACCEND framework to map your development from this programme onto the ACCEND domains as you work through the course.

We would love feedback on this programme so feel free to email kathy.cooke@wca.uhs.nhs.uk. There will be an evaluation by the EMCA team on completion of the programme along with CPD certificate.