Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide cancer patients with care navigators.

The NHS Long Term Plan states that all cancer patients will have access to the right expertise and support, including a Clinical Nurse Specialist or other support worker such as a cancer navigator (also known as a pathway navigator).

The Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development (ACCEND) Programme, funded by NHS England, aims to establish career pathways and transform education and training for a range of staff groups working in cancer, including navigators.

The ACCEND Programme aims to make careers in this area more attractive, while boosting retention and enhancing competencies, supporting the Department’s ambition for a supportive and assistive workforce with the right numbers and right skills to meet the needs of people with cancer.

NHS England is also funding new training routes for navigators, including via apprenticeships.