In February 2024 WCA delivered their first supportive workforce conference. Cancer Care Coordinators, Cancer Support Workers, Pathway Navigators and MDT Coordinators came together to learn more about each other’s roles and the combined impact they have on the patient journey. Project Manager Mary Edwards talks about why it was important to hold this conference:
The conference intended to achieve the following:
For this first conference, the focus was on four supportive roles who work with patients with a suspected or confirmed cancer on a daily basis. Ambassadors for each presented about their role:
Cancer Care Coordinator
Cancer Support Worker
Pathway Navigator
MDT Coordinator
Two patients with a lived experience of cancer were able to join us and openly shared their experiences to help conference attendees consider their impact at different stages of a patient’s journey.
I loved spending the day with like-minded people and got an insight to how personalised care information could be shared between primary and secondary care in the future”
I do feel there is more scope for how we can join together going forward as a workforce”
Conference participants wrote down what duties they undertake at three difference stages that may make up a patient’s journey:
Before a cancer is diagnosed; when a patient may be concerned about symptoms, are attending screening tests or other tests to determine if a cancer is present.
Once a cancer is diagnosed; when a patient receives a cancer diagnosis, starts their treatment and comes to the end of active treatment.
Participants were grouped by their geographical work locations and asked to share information about themselves and their roles. Role profiles including name, job title, place of work, contact details and a short bio about their role were collated and shared with the group. WCA will continue to add to this document so that all of the Wessex supportive workforce is included. If you would like to add your details or to receive the list please email: wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk
In their groups, participants outlined how they would like to work differently together, you can see the results of the discussions on Workforce Conference Facilitated Table Discussions
Participants also started to compile some of the organisations and charities they signpost patients to for support. You can see this list here: Services the supportive workforce signpost to.
If you would like to add to the list please email: wessexcanceralliance@wca.uhs.nhs.uk
Hearing about the variety of roles and how they can be best utilised to enable improved communications between us all and thereby empower the patient”
The talk that the patients provided was amazing, and I was very thankful to be allowed to hear their experiences”
Project Manager Jo Tibbles introduced the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development Programme (ACCEND) and demonstrated ways to use the framework to develop your skills and competence as a supportive cancer professional:
The conference was fantastic. So well organised. Excellent speakers. Really made people feel valued and that they are well equipped to provide the very best of care to patients”
Brilliant hands-on training. Love the interactive culture of all your trainings offered. Thank you!”
Conference participants had the option to attend 2 out of 3 workshops covering an introduction to frailty, resilience and understanding people’s diverse needs. The workshops were well attended and feedback was positive:
The workshops were brilliant”
The frailty and cancer workshop was very thought provoking”
The Resilience and Diverse Needs workshops were particularly informative”
Feedback:
A number of conference attendees provided feedback which can be seen in full in this presentation: Conference evaluation document