1,000 health workers in Greater Manchester to get crucial training to support cancer patients

More than 1,000 workers currently employed in an Allied Health Professional (AHP) role across Greater Manchester are set to benefit from Allies in Cancer Care training.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded a £1.2 million contract to the University of Salford to launch the Allies in Cancer Care training programme, which is part of the three-year Skills for Growth programme and has been made possible through the European Social Fund.

The training programme will be delivered by the University of Salford, in collaboration with The Christie School of Oncology, and supported by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance with the aim of providing a greater understanding of what it means to support someone living with cancer and equip them with the skills needed to provide better patient care.

Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance collaborated with the North West Cancer Alliances to conduct a Northwest Allied Health Professionals survey in January 2021, which highlighted the need for additional cancer training, specifically for those in more generalist roles across the region.

Allied Healthcare professionals make up the third largest professional workforce in the NHS spanning 14 disciplines.

In Greater Manchester, there are over 5,000 Allied Healthcare professionals and almost 1,000 support staff.

GMCA looked to address this gap in training and education by committing to invest in the training required, for the benefit of cancer care in the region.

The course will be run exclusively online and will be available from January, 2023.

There will be multiple enrolments up until September, 2023, and each participant will gain a CPD certificate once they have completed their course.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Greater Manchester’s Lead for Education, Work, Skills, Apprenticeships and Digital, said: “Everyone deserves high-quality health care and that begins with accessible and affordable training for healthcare professionals.

"Supporting our health workforce is one of our highest priorities.

"Our communities have been telling us about how crucial good social healthcare is.

"We recognised the challenge and acted on it by launching this training opportunity aimed at developing the skills this sector needs to reach its potential.”

The Skills for Growth programme is available as a result of GMCA securing funding from the European Social Fund to deliver a three-year programme, working in partnership with businesses and training providers to create new learning opportunities for employed residents in the city-region.

Throughout the programme, GMCA has gathered intelligence from businesses, which will be used to shape new training programmes.

This unique and employer-led approach means that GMCA create a solution that is fit for purpose.

To apply for Allies in Cancer Care training programme, please click here

For more information about the training opportunities available in different sectors across Greater Manchester, head to the ‘live training programmes’ page

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