Publish date: 26 July 2021
A mini army of cancer care workers has praised CMCA for a virtual get-together to discuss how they have coped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMCA has been instrumental in recruiting people to the innovative new roles of Cancer Support Worker (CSW) and Cancer Navigator (CN), who support patients at all stages of their cancer treatment and care.
Across Cheshire and Merseyside, there are now more than 120 CSWs and CNs, one of the largest workforces in the country, and a cross section of CSWs came together to discuss their roles and how the pandemic has shaped their work.
They act as a key contact for patients navigating their way through what can be a complicated system of cancer treatment and aftercare appointments, while always recognising that what matters to the patient comes first.
Many CSWs and CNs are embedded within cancer teams across the region, releasing capacity for specialised NHS staff, including Clinical Nurse Specialists, to engage with patients who have more complex needs.
CMCA organised a Share And Learn event online where CSWs could discuss how they have coped during the pandemic, make new contacts, support each other in their role, pass round best practice and share new ideas.
Feedback from the session – which 34 CSWs attended – was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees expressing the following comments:
“I really enjoyed today, as the only CSW/CN in my team you do feel a little lonesome at times, especially when you don't know whether what you are trying to do or implement is working. Listening to everyone has underlined the fact that I'm doing ok.”
“It was really beneficial. I’d like to see this session become a regular meeting.”
“Helpful and nice to see how everyone is getting on. Also, I didn't realise how many CSWs are now in post, which is great to hear.”
“This is only the second Alliance session I have attended and on both occasions I've come away with a sense of not being so alone with it all and having a wider support network, which is easy to forget sometimes when you're in the thick of it! Thank you for arranging these valuable events, it is much appreciated and I look forward to the next one.”
“It was a great insight to the varied tasks of a CSW and, with only being in post for two weeks, the meeting helped me feel supported in my role and also gave me lots of email addresses for people I can pester!”
“It’s nice to feel included and to listen and learn from those how have been in post a lot longer than me.”
Sharon Rowe, CMCA Workforce Transformation and Education Lead, said: “To support our staff we offer regular Learn And Share events, which were paused due to COVID.
“Our first relaunched virtual session was an opportunity for staff to discuss the challenges and successes during the last 18 months, and was well received by all.
“CMCA will continue to support these much-needed opportunities for collaboration and exchanging ideas.”
CMCA is also leading on a Health Education England-funded programme to scope the development of the CSW/CN roles nationally to inform guidance and policy with regard to implementing a nationally recognised competency framework aligned to a standardised training programme.