An important resource designed to support nurses who work in the field of long-term follow-up and late effects for children and young people after cancer has been updated and expanded.
Experts from the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia (CCLG)/Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC) working group, Children’s After Cure Nurses (CANUK), have published the second edition ‘Career and Education Framework for specialist nurses working in the field of long-term follow-up and late effects for children and young people after cancer’.
This work represents a significant review of competencies and career progression for highly specialised nurses working in this field. It builds on original work that was developed by the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative in 2011 and has been brought up to date with current practice in the field of late effects and long-term follow-up (LTFU).
This updated career and education framework is intended for use by nurses employed in LTFU roles for children, young people and adults after treatment for cancer during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. It aims to support nurses to develop a career in LTFU nursing guided by competencies linked to levels of nursing practice.
This ‘Version 2’ brings LTFU nursing practice up to date and expands some of the competencies for the current era of cancer late effects nursing. The style and structure of the framework are consistent with the UK Aspirant Cancer Careers Education and Development (ACCEND) programme, and age specific core cancer nursing competencies.
The document is endorsed by the Royal College of Nursing, CCLG, TYAC, Young Lives vs Cancer and the European Oncology Nursing Society.
Nicky Webb, co-Chair of CANUK, said:
The update of this framework uses terminology in line with the other professional cancer service frameworks. The update includes the nursing care of TYA and adult survivors of childhood cancer, so is therefore relevant for all nurses working in the field of late effects. It recognises our valuable role and professional development, providing clear career progression, which will enable nurses to work through from enhanced to consultant level. This, in turn, will improve the care for our patients and their families.
This updated resource replaces the original version that was designed to test, develop, and recommend the provision of appropriate aftercare to every cancer patient ‘living with and beyond cancer ‘to meet their individual holistic needs. Many of the original working party were CANUK members, and since the NCSI is no longer an active programme, the current CANUK group have led the review and development of Version 2 of the framework.
Tanya Urquhart-Kelly, Principal Lecturer Sheffield Hallam University – Child Nursing, founding member of CANUK and co-author of the original framework, said:
It’s wonderful to see the continuing review and enhancement of this important resource. This work supports the ongoing professional growth and development for specialist nursing staff working in this important area, which, in turn, ensures an equitable survivorship/late effects care experience for patients and their families.
Hannah Greene, CANUK co-Chair, recognised the hard work of all those who helped bring the new framework to fruition:
Working with the CCLG CANUK group has provided input from a large cohort of specialist nurses, which has enabled the update to be fully inclusive of all needs of patients and their families. The framework has been endorsed by both the RCN and CCLG therefore it can be used nationally across all centres. It enables nurses to use it as part of their NMC revalidation plus identifying learning needs and career progression at appraisals. We’re very proud and excited for the launch of this framework and would like to acknowledge the working group for all their support and hard work.
Nicola Bland, Paediatric Oncology Late Effects Nurse Specialist who is new to LTFU, tested the framework and said:
This framework has enabled me to take the knowledge i have gained in LTFU and gave me the added tools in which to work effectively. It helped me as it provides a common structure and guide to further support me in my understanding of late effects.
Jeanette Hawkins, Chief Nurse at CCLG and TYAC, added: "This document represents another useful output from the CCLG/TYAC special interest groups, which supports NHS workforce development.
“The value of working collaboratively on projects through CCLG/TYAC groups is in maximising the input from experts, while having project support from the organisation.
“That reduces the time busy NHS staff need to take out of clinical work and ensures resources like this are not left to go out of date, which would otherwise leave development gaps for the next generation.”