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Cancer workforce

  • Last modified date:
    8 February 2007

One of the major challenges facing implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan is the ability to recruit and retain staff so we are increasing staff numbers and training places for key staff groups, and encouraging new ways of working and continuing professional development for existing staff.

The NHS Plan provides for an unparalleled expansion of the NHS workforce. This investment in the staff of the NHS and their wellbeing underpins the measures to expand, equip and develop the cancer workforce. Working in networks can help increase capacity but this is obviously not enough on its own and effort is needed at all levels in the NHS to improve recruitment and retention.

Specific work to increase the size and skills of the cancer workforce includes:

  • pilot projects exploring new roles in radiography, pathology and chemotherapy;
  • training and support for district nurses in palliative care, to reach 10,000 nurses over three years;
  • training initiatives for endoscopy and for SHOs in histopathology; and,
  • an additional 569 cancer consultants between 1999 and 2002, meaning we are on track to increase the total by almost a third by 2006
  • radiology, histopathology, clinical oncology and thoracic surgery included in International Fellowship Scheme

Links:

The Nursing Contribution to Cancer Care

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