Cancer care and treatment are simply not possible without the cancer workforce. At the European level, there is much that can be progressed in respect to such issues: as elevating training and development; promoting labour mobility and professional qualification recognition; and safeguarding working conditions.

For these reasons and more, we have established a Network on Workforce matters to bring together professions and others to speak as one about the unaddressed policy needs at the European level that could help ensure the right of every cancer patient to specialised multidisciplinary cancer care  is upheld and made a reality. 

The Co-Chairs are currently overseeing the creation of a new consensus position paper of Europe’s cancer professions covering such pressing topics as:

• How to address the growing problem of workforce shortages in cancer care
• The unrealised opportunities for stimulating oncology professional qualification recognition and mobility in Europe
• Evident inequalities in educational opportunities
• Ensuring the safety of healthcare workers in cancer care
• Providing attention to work-life balance concerns
  
  

Supporting the Drivers for Implementation: The Cases of the Oncology Workforce

Panel discussion at European Cancer Summit 2021 session "Supporting the Drivers for Implementation: The Cases of the Oncology Workforce".

The European Cancer Summit 2021 Declaration has already been endorsed by over 60 organisations from the European cancer community. If your organisation is interested in endorsing the Declaration, please contact us here.

• Find out more on the European Cancer Summit 2021 here.
  
• Read the European Cancer Summit 2021 Report here.
• Watch the session recordings and access valuable resources here.

The organisations involved in the Workforce Network have kindly provided relevant links to their work in this Network which can be accessed under “Related Resources” on the right-hand side of this page.

A well-trained workforce that constantly updates its knowledge is critical in disease prevention and promoting quality care. Continuing professional development and education is a mainstay requirement to make sure this is the case.

The Accreditation Council of Oncology in Europe (ACOE) provides accreditation to Continuing Medical Education (CME) providers (including Member Societies of the European Cancer Organisation for the benefit of participants receiving education in oncology. You can read more about ACOE here.

To find out more about this Network, or support our work, please contact us here.