Blood Cancer: Health Professions
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the National Cancer Plan on increasing the number of blood cancer (i) nurses and (ii) doctors over the next 10 years.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
The Department is committed to developing a skilled blood cancer workforce, including nurses and doctors, so that patients receive care from the right professionals, at the right time, and in the right place. A refreshed Workforce Plan will be published later this year to ensure the National Health Service has the necessary staff and expertise to deliver high-quality care, from diagnosis through to treatment.
To ensure that people diagnosed with blood cancer have access to a Clinical Nurse Specialist, NHS England has committed to all patients, including those with blood cancer, having access to the right expertise and support, including a Clinical Nurse Specialist or other support worker. This is being delivered in line with the NHS Comprehensive Model for Personalised Care, empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer and maximise the potential of digital and community-based support.
Beyond the Workforce Plan, NHS England is currently working to strengthen pathways into cancer specialties by expanding training opportunities and creating structured career routes. This includes increasing medical training posts in haematology by 20 in 2024 and enhancing the scientific workforce supply through initiatives such as the Scientist Training Programme and Higher Specialist Scientist Training.
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