Shaping the Future of Cancer Care in North East London: Our Workforce Strategy

Our Workforce Strategy

North East London faces some of the most complex and urgent challenges in cancer care. These challenges are driven by a diverse and growing population, persistent health inequalities, and rising demand across the healthcare system. At the heart of overcoming these challenges is our cancer workforce- the dedicated professionals who deliver high-quality care, support patients and families, and drive innovation to improve outcomes. 

Recognising the critical role that our workforce plays in meeting these challenges, the North East London Cancer Alliance (NELCA) is committed to developing a Cancer Workforce Strategy that will guide us through the next decade. This strategy will provide a clear framework for identifying, planning and priortising the transformation, innovation, and education needs of our workforce, ensuring that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right roles, to deliver excellent cancer care.

NELCA's Workforce Strategy: A Three-Phase Approach

To ensure that we are fully prepared to meet the needs of our patients and communities, we are developing the workforce strategy in three phases. 

Phase 1: Scoping and Mapping

In this initial phase, we are taking stock of our current cancer workforce: wo we have, what roles they perform, and where they are based across North East London. The scoping exercise will help us to identify key risks and opportunities within our workforce, serving as a baseline for future development and strategic planning. 

Phase 2: Deep Dives

During this phase, we will focus on exploring the most pressing workforce challenges in more detail. This will involve identifying specific risks and gaps within our workforce, and developing targeted workforce plans to address these issues. Input from frontline staff and key stakeholders will be integral to this process, ensuring that our strategy reflects the realities of delivering cancer care on the ground. 

Phase 3: Strategy Development 

The final phase will see the development of the long-term workforce strategy. This strategy will:

  • Reflect our current workforce position. 

  • Address immediate risks and maximise opportunities for improvement 

  • Align with national workforce plans and policies

  • Provide a 10 year roadmap for workforce transformation, ensuring we are prepared for the future needs of cancer care in North East London

The strategy will guide decision- making, ensure the sustainability of our workforce, and support the delivery of high quality care in the face of increasing demand. 

workforce strategy

Why Workforce Development Matters

Our cancer workforce is the backbone of care for patients navigating one of life's most challenging experiences. Ensuring that these professionals have the right skills, at the right time, in the right place, and are continuously evolving, learning, and innovating, is crucial to improving outcomes and patient experiences. By investing in our workforce today, we are shaping the future of cancer care for tomorrow. 

A key part of this process is ensuring that we listen not only to the views of our workforce but also to the perspectives of our patients. Understanding where the biggest risks and opportunities lie from both the workforce and patient perspectives will allow us to co-design effective solutions. 

Later this year, we will run focus groups and one on one interviews with patients and communities to gather their input. The insights from these sessions will help refine our workforce strategy and ensure that we are meeting the needs for those we care for. 

National Guidance and workforce Delivery

The National Workforce Plan provides important context for workforce development at a national level. The plan commits to growing the NHS workforce by around 2.6-2.9% per year, with the goal of expanding the permanent workforce from 1.4 million in 2021/22 to 2.2-2.3 million by 2036/37. This growth will include an additional 60.000-74,000 doctors, 170,000-190,000 nurses, 71,000-76,000 allied health professionals (AHPs), and 210,000-240,000 support workers. Additionally, there will be an expansion of new roles, such as physician associates and nursing associates, alongside greater use of apprenticeships. 

These national workforce growth targets are crucial for shaping the future of cancer care in North East London. By aligning our workforce strategy with these national priorities, we can ensure that our workforce is equipped to meet the growing demands of cancer care and improve health outcomes for all.

Looking Ahead

The development of the NELCA Cancer Workforce Strategy is a critical initiative for the future of cancer care in North East London. By ensuring that we have a workforce that is skilled, diverse, and well supported, we can continue to provide high quality care and meet the needs of our population. 

As we move through the phases of developing this strategy, we will continue to engage with our workforce, patients and the wider community to ensure that our plans reflect the needs of those we serve. Together, we will shape a workforce that is ready for the challenges and opportunities of the future, delivering exceptional cancer care for North East London.