ACCEND programme launches new framework

HEE have launched a Career Pathway, Core Cancer Capabilities in Practice (CiP) and Education Framework for the Nursing and Allied Health Professions Workforce.

The overall purpose of the framework is to support the development of the workforce providing care to people affected by cancer by providing guidance on routes to working and career progression, core cancer related knowledge, a range of learning, development, training and education. It will also enable and support employers and systems to deliver high quality services to people affected by cancer by supporting workforce transformation and the health and wellbeing of staff.

The framework is made up of three components, a career pathway component, a core cancer-specific capabilities in practice component and an education framework component. Combined, these components support practitioners at all levels of the career pathway to develop the core knowledge, skills and behaviours to care for people affected by cancer.

Libby Potter HEE Head of Portfolio for Long Term Conditions and Prevention, Maternity, Neonatal, Children and Young People and co-lead for the ACCEND programme said:

“I am delighted that we have launched the ACCEND cancer career, education and capability framework for cancer support workers, students, nurses and allied health professionals at all levels of practice.

This is a long awaited and much needed framework that will provide an end to end career and education pathway underpinned by capabilities required for practice for those aspiring to be a cancer professional, and those already working in the profession to have a clear line of sight as to how they can progress within this existing clinical speciality.

With 1 in 2 of us likely to experience a diagnosis of cancer in our lifetimes, never has there been a more crucial time to launch this framework which secures the current and future workforce. The ACCEND reform programme is due to launch further offers so do watch this space - exciting times are ahead for this important workforce”.

To read the framework and the accompanying implementation guides, visit the NHSE ACCEND webpage.

You can also find out more about the framework and the ACCEND programme by viewing a recording of a short presentation by Professor Vanessa Taylor, author of the framework.