I agree that it is vital that the NHS has the oncologists, radiologists, and nurses that it needs in order to diagnose and treat cancer.  On a national level, please be assured that the Government is committed to building a bigger, better trained NHS workforce to help increase survival across all cancers. 

I understand that in 2023/24, NHS England will continue to invest in education and training to increase capacity in the cancer workforce, building on the £81 million invested in 2022/23.

The Government is also backing the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which sets out proposals for increasing the number of staff needed to address patient need - including cancer care - over the next 15 years. This includes recognising the need for the NHS to develop career pathways for nurses wishing to become clinical nurse specialists working with people with cancer.  Plans for additional medical school training places for 2024/25 will also ensure that more medical students receive postgraduate training in cancer services.