The specialist nursing workforce caring for men with prostate cancer in the UK

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK accounting for 25% of all new cases of cancer. It is predicted to become the most common cancer overall by 2030. A national survey of the specialist nursing workforce caring for men with prostate cancer was completed across the four countries of the UK during June and July 2014. In total 302 specialist nurses completed the survey and data from 285 was used in the analysis. This is the biggest whole population survey of this workforce in recent years. The most common job title was clinical nurse specialist (185) and the most common band was agenda for change band 7 (174). However in Scotland 50% of the respondents stated that they were paid on band 6. Over half the group (158) had worked in prostate cancer care for more than 10 years. Few (48) had come into specialist posts from a specific specialist nurse development role. There is wide geographic variation in the provision of specialist nursing for men with prostate cancer. This is reflected in available hours and caseload sizes. The respondents reported frozen and vacant posts across the UK. This equated to 58·3 full time equivalents. The work of specialist nurses caring for men with prostate cancer is clinically complex and appears to cover most key times in the cancer journey. However workload appears to be limiting the care that the nurses are able to provide with over half the respondents (163) saying that they left work undone for patients.

The Experiences of Specialist Nurses Working Within the Uro-oncology Multidisciplinary Team in the United Kingdom

“…Despite the known benefits of access to a specialist nurse, the distribution of specialist nurses and incidence-to-nurse ratios vary enormously indicating that there is an inequity of access. Unlike other cancers, prostate cancer nursing care in the United Kingdom is rarely provided by a prostate CNS 6,7. This is corroborated by the national cancer nursing census, which shows that only 2% of the specialist nursing workforce in England are prostate specific, approximately the same number as a rare cancer such as sarcoma 8…”

The long‐term quality of life and information needs of prostate cancer survivors

“…However, concerns have been raised that there are not enough specialist nurses to meet the growing number of men surviving prostate cancer in the UK (Leary et al, 2016). Urology nurses are therefore in a unique position to meet the information needs of long-term prostate cancer patients.…”

“…In Ireland, 3400 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year (NCR, 2016), with the number increasing from a figure of 1100 per year 20 years ago. Consequently, prostate cancer has become an important health issue highlighting the need for more specialist urology nurses nationally (Leary et al, 2016). This figure is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with Zucca et al (2012) estimating that the number of men living with prostate cancer will triple by 2030.…”

The Lymphoedema Genitourinary Cancer Questionnaire in urology follow‐up clinics

“…The clinical focus for some is entirely cancer‐related, for others it is non‐cancer conditions, while others span multiple pathologies . Further, whereas some specialist nurses are cancer‐site specific, for example, breast cancer, this is not the case for most uro‐oncology CNS roles . The CNS role is essential within the multidisciplinary team (MDT), supporting patient information and enabling shared decision‐making at every stage of the cancer journey .…”

“…The CNS role is essential within the multidisciplinary team (MDT), supporting patient information and enabling shared decision‐making at every stage of the cancer journey . The information‐giving aspect is significant to the patient experience and understanding of the disease . Whilst patient contact with a cancer CNS in England may have increased, studies show worrying regional variances .…”