Responding to the National Cancer Plan RCN Chief Nursing Officer Lynn Woolsey said:

“This is an ambitious plan that can improve outcomes for those of us who will get a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime. It also rightly recognises the crucial role specialist nurses, such as Advanced Nurse Practitioners, can play in delivering it. Our highly skilled profession stands ready.

“The reality is that a successful cancer plan needs nursing staff at its heart. That includes highly skilled Advanced Nurse Practitioners and cancer nurse specialists who devise and deliver person-centred treatment plans, but also community, district nurses and palliative care nurses who help people recover and live with cancer from home. 

“Meeting targets, reducing waiting times and helping people live longer needs highly skilled nurses as well as new technologies.  We now look forward to seeing how in the upcoming workforce plan ministers intend to grow and nurture the nursing leaders who will help transform cancer care.”

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