Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance is delighted to announce that our Workforce and Education Team has been shortlisted for the Digital Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2024 HSJ Digital Awards. The awards recognise innovative digital projects that transform care delivery, enhance efficiency, and improve patient outcomes.
343 entries have been received for this year’s Digital Awards, with 165 projects and individuals meriting inclusion on the final shortlist.
The high volume – and exceptional quality – of applications once again mirrors the impressive levels of innovation and care continually being developed across the UK’s healthcare system.
Following the thorough judging process, the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance Workforce and Education Team was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held on 6 June 2024, with its Greater Manchester Cancer Academy: Empowering Conversations and Inclusive Terminology project standing out as a real ‘success story’ worthy of a prized place on the panel’s shortlist.
Lesbian Gay and Bisexual cancer patients have poorer experiences of cancer services than their heterosexual counterparts. The Greater Manchester Cancer Academy: Empowering Conversations and Inclusive Terminology project recognises that good care starts with effective communication. The team worked in conjunction with the LGBT Foundation to create a sustainable digital education module. To ensure equity in access to this education, the module is free at the point of access and CPD accredited. You can access the module at www.gmcanceracademy.org.uk
1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. As part of the Workforce and Education team at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, Greater Manchester Cancer Academy supports lifelong learning for our current and future cancer workforce. By reducing inequity around access to cancer education we can elevate patient care and improve outcomes.
Suzanne Lilley, Programme Director for Workforce and Education | Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said:
“A key area of focus for the GM Cancer Workforce and Education programme is addressing workforce inequalities and the Cancer Academy is vital for ensuring the workforce has the skills to do this. We pride ourselves on providing education that is driven by workforce need and this particular offer was identified through our Cancer Support Worker forum. Both Cancer Care Coordinators and Navigators recognised the need to enhance their communication skills so that they feel confident and empowered to have inclusive conversations with patients to ensure personalised care is offered to all. We were delighted when the LGBT Foundation agreed to collaborate with us to make this happen and have been overwhelmed by the response from our workforce both locally and nationally.”
Molly Pipping, Senior Programme Lead for Education at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said:
“It’s been a pleasure to work in partnership with the LGBT Foundation to launch this quality assured educational module on inclusive conversations and empowering terminology. With almost 200 members of our Greater Manchester workforce completing the learning, this initiative significantly supports staff, whether in terms of cultural understanding or providing more inclusive patient care.”
