In 2021, NHS England published the updated commissioning service specifications for children’s cancer services:
- Service_Spec_1746_ptc_Children’sODN_Nov_2021
- Service_Spec_1746_POSCU_Nov_2021
This 2021 version of the service specifications had an Appendix (No.3) which covered guidance on standards for children’s cancer nurse training, and minimum workforce staffing requirements trained to the recommended level. The appendix was out-of-date by the time of publication due to the pace of change in nursing and cancer services at the time. Full details of the background to the problem, and subsequent recommendations are outlined in this letter submitted to the Children & TYA Clinical Reference Group (CRG) in October 2024.
In summary
- The letter outlined the problems that out-of-date references and training methods present to services in current times and suggested that CCLG published a guide on interpreting Appendix 3.
- The guide uses up-to-date references for nationally approved workforce tools such as the SACT passport, CCLG / ACCEnD Career and Education Framework (CEF) competencies for children’s cancer nurses, and RCN workforce standards, which have replaced the documents referenced in appendix 3.
- The guide removes dated terminology of ‘internal and external’ training with associated academic credits, since all registered nurses now have degree level preparation. This is replaced by current training programmes which aim to meet the standards equivalent to those in the dated Appendix 3 and which meet the standards in the ACCEnD / CCLG CEF (ACCEnD is identified in the NHSE Long Term Workforce plan for cancer workforce preparation). The guide uses the terminology of ‘foundation and advanced’ training.
- The guide reiterates commitment to absolute minimum workforce standards for training in PTCs and POSCUs.
Download the accompanying letter
The CCLG guide below offers services a road map on interpreting Appendix 3 in contemporary times. It is intended to align with the service levels set in Appendix 3 and is not intended to elevate beyond those minimum standards. At some stage in the future when services specifications are next scheduled for review, it is hoped that this guide (or its own updated version) will be a reference point for considering nursing workforce standards.
An additional resource is offered to supplement the guide to illustrate a cancer nurse training pathway.