Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if the Government will ensure that enough nurses in future train to be clinical nurse specialists for (a) cancer, (b) breast cancer and (c) secondary breast cancer.

The Government has supported the development of a range of specialist roles within nursing, such as cancer clinical specialist nurses. These roles are specialist post-registration qualifications which are attained through additional Continuing Professional Development training.

At a local level, it is ultimately the responsibility of National Health Service trusts, working with their clinical commissioning groups, to ensure they have sufficient staff on their wards with the right skills to treat patients in their care and are responsible for investing in training for cancer specialist nursing skills and for employing cancer specialist nurses.

Following the publication of the Five Year Forward View, an independent Cancer Taskforce was set up to develop a new five-year strategy for cancer. Health Education England has representation on the National Cancer Transformation Board responsible for the implementation of the Taskforce’s report, and will be working in partnership with NHS England and a range of professional bodies to develop a shared vision and strategy for the cancer workforce.