Cancer as a Long-Term Condition

Cancer as a Long-Term Condition: A Course for Health and Social Care Professionals

Learn more about the changing story of cancer, and how you can support those living with and beyond cancer with their health and wellbeing.

Who is this course for?

Health and social care professionals in SURREY, SUSSEX & FRIMLEY who are new to cancer: nurses, social prescribers, paramedic practitioners, AHPs, care coordinators and HCAs are all welcome. Applications from students will be considered.

Please note, in order to be accepted for this course, you are required to have the approval of a supporting manager for all course dates, and to be able to complete a work based change / improvement project (Please note, the size of this project is entirely at your own discretion, in line with your work demands).

If you have any questions regarding the course or eligibility, please contact rsch.sscacancereducationteam@nhs.net

Q&A sessions

If you have questions about the course and would like to find out more before you sign up, please email rsch.sscacancereducationteam@nhs.net

About the course

This 6-month hybrid course equips health and social care professionals with the knowledge and confidence to support patients living with and beyond cancer, as well as their carers. It offers a comprehensive understanding of contemporary cancer care, emphasizing how skills used for other long-term conditions can be effectively transferred to cancer care.

The course combines virtual and face-to-face learning, enhancing participants’ knowledge and confidence while empowering them to use their learning and implement a service improvement initiative to improve care for cancer patients in their workplace.

By attending, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your role, the roles of others within the multidisciplinary team, and local services to improve signposting and collaborative support for cancer patients across Surrey and Sussex. Open to all professionals interested in cancer care, the course aligns with ACCEND levels and supports those at supportive, assistive, pre-registration, and registration stages.

Average survival after a cancer diagnosis in the UK is now 10 years and counting. That means there are now more than 101,000 people in Surrey and Sussex alone living with and beyond cancer, and as diagnosis and treatment continue to improve, that figure is set to grow by an incredible 67% to 168,600 by 2030.

With such high numbers of people living with the long term effects of cancer in our community, it has never been more important for healthcare professionals to understand these potential impacts or to improve knowledge of how better to support those living with and far beyond their cancer diagnosis.

"Really enjoyable, great for networking and helping me signpost my patients"

“I have really enjoyed the course, the information provided, the support given, meeting colleagues from both primary and secondary care and feeling really supported and encouraged throughout. I only wish I could carry on and do something else with you. I will be recommending this course.”

Sessions

This blended learning course uses both online and face to face sessions. To complete the course, participants are required to complete a workplace change/improvement project to improve cancer care within their service or area.

• Introductory Webinar - Online - Wednesday 15 April 2026
• Face to face Study Day at Surrey Technology Centre - Wednesday 13 May 2026 (09:00 - 1630)
• Project Workshop Afternoon - Face to Face at Surrey Technology Centre- Tuesday 7 July 2026 (12:30 - 16:00)
• Final Workshop Presentation - Face to Face at Surrey Technology Centre- Thursday 8 October 2026 (12:30 - 16:30)
  
  Monthly Peer support Sessions:
• Peer Support 1 - Online - Wednesday 5 May 2026 - 13:00 - 14:00
• Peer Support 2 - Online - Wednesday 3 June 2026 - 13:00 - 14:00
• Peer Support 3 - Online - Monday 17 August 2026 - 13:00 - 14:00
• Peer Support 4 - Online - Wednesday 16 September 2026 - 13:00 - 14:00

Additional time required for service improvement project and optional additional support and mentorship available.

If you or your supporting manager have any questions about the course, booking or would simply like to discuss whether the course is for you or your workplace, please contact rsch.sscacancereducationteam@nhs.net