In February, the RCN Cancer Forum met to plan our strategic vision for the year. As Chair, I was inspired by the expertise and passion in the room—Vice Chair, committee members, and our professional lead—each bringing unique perspectives to oncology care. Our discussions focused on how we can best support RCN members to enhance their knowledge of cancer, with the goal of translating this into improved practice and better outcomes for people affected by cancer.

A clear theme emerged: the needs of people living with and beyond cancer are increasingly complex and extend far beyond the cancer diagnosis itself. Many patients are now cared for in non-cancer settings and as the number of people living with cancer rises, it is no longer feasible for specialist teams alone to deliver all aspects of care. Non-specialist nurses play a vital and growing role in supporting cancer patients across diverse settings.

Collaboration between cancer specialist nurses and non-cancer specialist nurses is essential for delivering holistic, coordinated care. It ensures expertise is shared and patients receive the right support wherever they are. This approach aligns with the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, which aims to transform cancer care by shifting services from hospital to community and focusing on prevention and early diagnosis. The plan sets ambitious goals: improving cancer survival rates, diagnosing more cancers at an early stage, and reducing inequalities. Achieving these goals requires effective teamwork across all nursing roles.

Multidisciplinary teamwork, including collaboration between specialist and non-specialist nurses, has been shown to improve patient outcomes—survival rates, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. When nurses work together, patients benefit from more accurate assessments, personalised care plans, and timely interventions. For this collaboration to be truly effective, education must be at its heart.

One of our main strategic objectives is to scope the current need and provision of educational support for non-cancer specialists around cancer care. Over the last six months, we have gained valuable insight through discussions with national organisations such as UKONS, Macmillan, and NHS England. Most importantly, we asked Cancer Forum members directly what they think is needed in this area through a targeted questionnaire.

The response was clear: there is a significant need for improved education for non-cancer specialist nurses. Cancer specialist nurses bring advanced knowledge of cancer treatments, symptom management, and psychosocial support. They are ideally placed to educate and support non-specialist nurses, especially when patients are admitted to non-oncology wards. Non-specialist nurses, in turn, contribute their expertise in managing comorbidities and general nursing care—skills that are crucial for cancer patients who often have other health conditions.

Our members told us that a digital resource would be most useful. As a result, our next steps are to develop this platform for the RCN Cancer Forum webpage, with an initial focus on screening, treatments, and living with and beyond cancer. We also recognised the variation in practice and resource across the four nations, so a priority for the forum will be to ensure inclusivity of resources for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Collaboration with external cancer organisations and charities is fundamental to our work. We are continuously building relationships to share expertise and influence current practice for our members. This year, we have held webinars with C the Signs and the UK Cancer and Transition Service (UCATS) and OUTpatients—both of which will inform this work. Most recently, we have begun working with Prostate Cancer UK to promote awareness and education of prostate cancer.

These partnerships are about building a community of practice, where knowledge flows freely between specialist and non-specialist nurses, and where everyone is empowered to provide the best possible care for people affected by cancer.

As we look to the future, the ambitions of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan provide a clear direction: more care delivered closer to home and earlier diagnosis. Achieving these ambitions will require all nurses—specialist and non-specialist alike—to work together, learn from each other, and support each other. With the forthcoming Cancer Plan expected to set new priorities and standards for cancer care, it is essential that our collaborative efforts and educational initiatives are closely aligned to meet the evolving needs of patients and the wider health system.

The RCN Cancer Forum is committed to making this vision a reality. By prioritising education, fostering collaboration, and building strong partnerships, we can ensure that every nurse is equipped to provide outstanding care for people affected by cancer—wherever they are, and whatever their needs.