Shaping the Future Cancer CNS Workforce
Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are at the heart of cancer care, providing expert clinical support, personalised care, leadership, education, and service improvement. As demand for cancer services continues to grow, developing and sustaining the CNS workforce has never been more important.
Working in partnership with Cancer Alliances, NHS organisations, Macmillan Cancer Support, and national stakeholders, we are leading work to support the attraction, development, and retention of Cancer CNSs across England.
The National CNS Development Forum
Building on the success of the North East and Yorkshire Macmillan CNS Development Programme, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance established the National CNS Development Forum to create a collaborative approach to Cancer CNS workforce development.
Founded by Sarah Grant, Workforce Programme Manager, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance, and Co-chaired with Claire Taylor MBE, Chief Nursing Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support, the forum brings together stakeholders from across all four UK nations, including Cancer Alliances, NHS England Workforce, Training and Education (WTE), NHS Trusts, higher education institutions, and voluntary sector organisations.
The forum provides a platform to share best practice, develop national resources, and align workforce development activity with national priorities, including the Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme | NHS England | Workforce, training and e…
Current Areas of Focus
The National CNS Development Forum is currently leading work across five key areas:
- Inspiring the future pipeline of aspiring Cancer CNSs.
- Supporting nurses transitioning into newly appointed Cancer CNS roles.
- Developing and supporting Cancer CNSs throughout their careers.
- Providing guidance, resources, and support for CNS mentors.
- Promoting alignment of workforce development with the ACCEND Framework.
Through these workstreams, the forum aims to create a more consistent and sustainable approach to Cancer CNS development, helping organisations to grow and retain a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of people affected by cancer now and in the future.
Background
The Role of the Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist
Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are expert nurses who provide personalised, patient-centred care to people affected by cancer. They are often a patient's key worker, offering clinical expertise, emotional support, information, and coordination throughout the cancer pathway.
The role is underpinned by four pillars of professional practice:
- Clinical Practice
- Leadership and Management
- Education
- Research and Audit
Together, these pillars enable Cancer CNSs to deliver expert clinical care, lead service improvement, educate patients and professionals, and contribute to research and innovation that improves cancer outcomes and patient experience.
The North East and Yorkshire Macmillan CNS Development Programme
Recognising the need for a structured approach to Cancer CNS workforce development, partners across the North East and Yorkshire region came together to address workforce shortages and support the future sustainability of the profession.
The North East and Yorkshire Macmillan CNS Development Programme was developed through a partnership between NHS England Workforce, Training and Education (WTE), Macmillan Cancer Support, and the four regional Cancer Alliances:
- Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance
- Northern Cancer Alliance
- South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Cancer Alliance
- West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance
Hosted by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance and aligned to both the Macmillan Workforce Strategy and the ACCEND Framework, the programme recruited 42 aspiring Cancer CNSs and mentors from 20 NHS Trusts, representing nine cancer specialities.
The two-year programme commenced in September 2022 and successfully supported participants through a structured development pathway. Notably, 90% of those who completed the programme secured a substantive Cancer CNS post, demonstrating the programme's impact on strengthening the specialist cancer nursing workforce.
Programme Evaluation
The findings and lessons learned from the programme have informed ongoing national workforce development activity and future approaches to supporting cancer professionals across the NHS.
Read the full evaluation report: NEY Macmillan CNS Workforce Development Programme Evaluation Report: https://
Looking Ahead
The success of the North East and Yorkshire programme has demonstrated the value of investing in structured Cancer CNS development. Through continued collaboration and the work of the National CNS Development Forum, partners are committed to building a sustainable, skilled, and future-ready Cancer CNS workforce that continues to improve outcomes and experiences for people affected by cancer.
