University Hospitals Plymouth launches Cancer Education Hub
The Cancer Education Hub aims to equip staff and volunteers with the latest skills, knowledge, and communication techniques necessary to deliver the highest quality cancer care. By centralising education and making training more accessible, the Trust hopes to see improved patient outcomes, more confident healthcare professionals, and a more cohesive approach to oncology care across the Trust and the wider community.
Oncology Education Lead Andrew Garner says: “We’re working to ensure that anyone interested in oncology training and communication skills can easily access the courses we provide. Our courses are open to all UHP staff and volunteers, particularly those working in cancer care. We also welcome attendees from other Trusts and organisations, and we plan to expand access to our training in the future.”
Andrew took on the role of Oncology Education Lead in June this year, based within the Mustard Tree Macmillan Cancer Support Centre. The Mustard Tree has been delivering oncology and communication courses for many years, but Andrew wanted to create a central hub to bring all of UHP’s oncology education offerings across the Trust into one place.
“These courses and CPD opportunities are facilitated either by me or other highly skilled members of staff working within oncology,” says Andrew. “As a trained teacher who retrained in radiotherapy, I am keen to make our sessions interactive and engaging for learners. I believe that active participation and practical experience are key to effective learning, especially in the healthcare field.”
The Cancer Education Hub is building on the excellent work that was done previously, alongside reviewing and updating the offer, which currently includes:
- Cancer Care Essentials: Aimed at non-clinical staff in cancer care such as administrators, receptionists, charity workers, and volunteers.
- Cancer Care Pro: Targeted at healthcare professionals, including cancer support workers, nurses, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and doctors.
- Immunotherapy Study Day: For healthcare professionals providing care to patients undergoing immunotherapy, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
Good communication is essential in healthcare, particularly in cancer care, where patients often face difficult and emotionally charged situations. Effective communication can significantly improve patient outcomes.
The Cancer Education Hub’s communication courses offer training for all healthcare professionals in these vital skills, including:
- Foundation Level Communication
- ‘Breaking Bad News’ - Intermediate Communication Skills Study Day.
- Advanced Level Communication Skills.
While some facilitators have a background in oncology and end-of-life care, the communication courses are suitable for all healthcare staff. Three levels of training are available, starting with a foundational course that includes small group work and simulated scenarios. The intermediate course builds on these skills, and the advanced course incorporates paid actors for a very practical experience.
A Specialist Cancer Care academic module (20 credits, degree level), which runs once a year in partnership with the University of Plymouth, is also available, with further expansion of academic offerings planned.
The courses are continuously updated to reflect the latest advancements in cancer treatment and care. This includes input from experts in the field and collaboration with researchers to ensure that the Hub’s training remains cutting-edge. Feedback from healthcare professionals actively working with patients is also incorporated, to ensure the practical application of the most current knowledge.
The response from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. “Many have noted improvements in their confidence and skills in delivering patient care, particularly when dealing with challenging situations such as breaking bad news or managing complex cancer cases,” says Andrew. “Participants appreciate the interactive, hands-on nature of our courses and the opportunity to learn from experienced facilitators.”
Andrew and his team now plan to expand the Hub’s CPD offerings with shorter, more focused sessions on cancer care and communication. “We’re also looking into offering additional university-level courses, including potentially developing a Masters-level program,” adds Andrew. “As always, we remain committed to evolving our programs to meet the needs of our staff and the ever-changing landscape of oncology care.”
