Published on 19 August 2026
People living with cancer and frailty in Cheshire and Merseyside are set to benefit from a new programme designed to improve the support they receive throughout their cancer care.
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) has launched its Frailty in Cancer Programme, working with partners across the region to help ensure patients receive more personalised, joined-up care that reflects their individual needs.
The programme builds on work already taking place across Cheshire and Merseyside and aims to support a more consistent approach to frailty assessment and management for people affected by cancer.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Frailty Assessment and Management Guidance has been developed to support this work. It takes a pathway approach, encouraging proactive screening, assessment, and management at key points in a patient’s cancer journey.
The aim is to help patients receive the right support and intervention from the right people, at the right time and in the right place, so they can access care that is appropriate for their needs.
By identifying frailty earlier and responding to it in a coordinated way, the programme also aims to support better use of healthcare resources and contribute to national priorities for cancer care.
The guidance has been endorsed by the Integrated Care Board Clinical Effectiveness Group and the British Geriatrics Society. CMCA is now working with stakeholders from multiple organisations across cancer and frailty services to support implementation of it over the coming years.
CMCA has also developed a collaboration with AstraZeneca to further support the work that is being done and are working as part of the North West Learning Improvement Network (NWLIN).
Jon Hayes, Managing Director at CMCA, said: “For many people living with cancer, their experience and outcomes may vary if they are also living with frailty.
“Working towards and achieving frailty-attuned cancer care will support positive improvements for these patients. The Frailty in Cancer Programme has been launched to support this vision, including having a focus on workforce education and training with the development of the Frailty Champion for Cancer role.”
Jude Adams, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, said: “Our shared commitment across the Cancer Alliance and ICB Urgent Care Programmes is proving that collaborative leadership can drive meaningful frailty-attuned care improvements, delivering better experiences and outcomes for patients across the system.”
A spokesperson for AstraZeneca said: “This collaboration reflects our belief that meaningful progress against cancer happens when healthcare providers, policymakers and industry work together around a shared goal: improving the lives of patients.
“It is another example of how partnerships are helping us reimagine cancer care today, while bringing us closer to a future where cancer is no longer a cause of death.”
Note: AstraZeneca has had no influence in the development of the Cheshire and Merseyside Frailty in Cancer Programme. This collaboration does not represent an endorsement of AstraZeneca products or services.