A new career pathway and education framework has been launched for health professionals providing care for people affected by cancer.
The Aspirant Cancer and Education Development (ACCEND) career pathway, core capabilities in practice (CiP) and education framework were launched last month by Health Education England, defining a nationally agreed competency and skills framework.
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) have provided a successful educational programme for supportive staff in cancer care since 2017 with the aim of standardising knowledge, skills and capabilities within the workforce. Now, the CMCA team, led by Sharon Rowe, Workforce Transformation and Education Lead, has developed a new remote learning programme, Principles of Cancer Care Programme, which is offered nationally in collaboration with the ACCEND programme.
The four-day virtual course is aligned to the core capabilities in practice within the education framework and supports the cancer workforce by delivering an occupationally relevant programme with strong pastoral support.
The course is designed for non-clinical staff who work with people at all points in the cancer pathway. From those in primary care with a suspected cancer diagnosis, those who facilitate people through the diagnostics pathway, those who require support during treatment and then require ongoing monitoring. The course is offered in collaboration with The Cancer Academy and there will be an opportunity for staff to achieve the ACCEND Capabilities in Practice.
As well as understanding the pathophysiology of cancer, health inequalities in cancer care, cancer treatments and side effects, cancer terminology, screening programmes and barriers to engagement, the course has a strong emphasis on communication and psychological skills.
The virtual programme provides an opportunity for peer-to-peer support and learning, discussions with experienced support workers, cancer navigators and cancer coordinators from primary and secondary care and an informal interaction with a person affected by cancer (PABC) all facilitated by healthcare professionals who have in-depth knowledge of the role and can offer guidance and support.
John Gale, CMCA Programme Manager and ACCEND Cancer Support Workforce Lead, said: “I was so pleased with the launch of the framework in January and the great work continues with the Principles of Cancer Care expanding across 21 cancer alliances this month. Special thanks to Sharon Rowe and the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance team.”
To read the framework and the accompanying implementation guides, visit the HEE ACCEND webpage.
To find out more about the Principles in Cancer Care and other resources visit The Cancer Academy website
