Staff at London’s second largest cancer unit, Barts Health NHS Trust, are set to benefit from an innovative workplace cancer support training programme designed by national cancer charity Cancer Support UK.
Communicating about Cancer is a 35-45 minute long online course, which will enable the Trust’s 21,000 strong ethnically diverse workforce to support colleagues in the workplace who are facing a cancer diagnosis.
Commenting on the new training offer, Andrea McDonnell, Deputy Director Barts Health Education Academy and Director of Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Education, Resuscitation and Moving & Handling, said:
“We are excited to work with Cancer Support UK to roll out this training to our staff members at Barts Health. The training will provide staff with the knowledge and skills to be able to provide support for each other as well as raising awareness and supporting staff wellbeing across our teams.”
Staff across the group of five hospitals that makes up Barts Health will have access to the E-learning tool via the Trust’s own internal education channel.
Commenting on the new partnership, Mark Guymer, CEO of Cancer Support UK, said: “Our innovative learning is clearly the right fit for Barts Health Trust which recognises the importance of giving employees, as well as patients, as much emotional support as possible. An integrated NHS partnership is indicative of how our pioneering work is being recognised by healthcare providers.
“With around one million people of working age living with a cancer diagnosis, more and more people in the workplace are affected. Working while undergoing treatment is incredibly tough, as it affects individuals both physically and emotionally, regardless of whether your work environment is in healthcare or any other industry.”
Barts Health has an international reputation for excellence and innovation, while delivering care to 2.5 million patients in East London. Around 6,200 patients are treated within the group’s hospitals every day. In addition, the Royal London Hospital (which is part of the group) is home to London’s Air Ambulance.
Cancer Support UK is a charity known for its commitment to creating unique practical and emotional supportive solutions for people living with and beyond cancer.
The Communicating About Cancer e-learning module is an effective self-learning programme that is designed to improve awareness and understanding of cancer, as well as its physical and emotional impact across an organisation.
The course includes practical example scenarios and exercises to help staff at all levels manage sensitive conversations around cancer. It will particularly help develop the communication skills of staff, giving them the confidence and language to support colleagues who are affected by cancer.
It also provides signposting and useful resources to enable learners to direct colleagues to other appropriate and beneficial sources of support, such as specialist charities and organisations.
More information about Cancer Support UK’s workplace training courses can be found at: www.cancersupportuk.org/
