Publish date: 10 October 2025
An initiative to recruit, develop and retain specialist nurses who improve the quality of life, care and survival of people affected by cancer has proved successful according to a new report.
It was launched after a workforce census by cancer support charity Macmillan found worrying vacancy rates across cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS) roles in England.
The Northeast and Yorkshire (NEY) Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Workforce Development Programme has been delivered in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, the four regional Cancer Alliances and NHS England Workforce, Training and Education.
It has resulted in 42 nurses being recruited, with 38 completing the 24-month programme — an attrition rate of just 7%.
The report, which has received positive feedback nationally, concluded that the programme stands as a model of best practice in specialist nurse development, demonstrating tangible benefits for individuals, services, and the wider cancer care system.
Its success highlights its potential to now form part of a national programme of work for CNS development and secure the future delivery of specialised, patient‑centred cancer care across the UK.
Cancer Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are vital to the quality of cancer care and the experience of patients, in our region and across the UK.
The role of the Cancer CNS is complex and highly skilled and there is clear evidence that CNSs improve the quality of life, experience of care and, potentially, the survival of people affected by cancer.
Cancer CNSs help to:
- Reduce the number of emergency admissions
- Reduce the length of stay in hospital
- Reduce the number of follow-up appointments
- Reduce the number of medical consultations
- Provide support to enable people to be cared for and to die in their place of choice
The report’s author, Sarah Grant, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance’s Workforce Development Programme Manager, said: “The evaluation of the programme provides compelling evidence of its success in meeting its core aim: to recruit, develop, and retain aspiring CNSs.
“Despite initial challenges with staggered recruitment and academic scheduling, all learners passed their university modules without re-sits and completed diverse service improvement projects, demonstrating both academic strength and real-world impact.
“Programme leadership — including the Programme Manager, Macmillan Partnership Quality Leads (PQLs) Macmillan Partnership Managers (PMs), and Lead Cancer Nurses — played a vital role in providing one-to-one support, peer networks, and responsive interventions that underpinned learner resilience and continuity.
“A distinctive feature was the emphasis on face-to-face engagement, through mentoring, peer support groups, and networking events (“Inspire & Aspire,” “Next Steps to Success,” and “Celebrating Success”). These interactions fostered confidence, multi-professional collaboration, and leadership skills, while strengthening identity and resilience within the CNS role.”
Claire Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Macmillan’s significant investment has not only provided a lasting legacy in the creation of the CNS roles across 20 NHS organisations but also deepened our understanding of the prerequisites to recruit, educate and support aspiring CNSs in practice, providing an evidence base which will guide future CNS development across the UK’.”
Read the evaluation report here
