The Royal Marsden School of Cancer Nursing and Rehabilitation is a dedicated provider of post-registration education and development for nurses and Allied Health Care Professionals caring for individuals with cancer.  The School is within the Royal Marsden Hospital, which has a tradition of education in practice and has a long history in the provision of cancer care and is at the forefront of leading edge practice and research.   The School is currently developing educational opportunities for Allied Health Care Professionals: initially focusing on Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists.   The School would like to offer a Post Graduate Diploma in Cancer Care for Allied Health Care Professionals leading to an MSc in Advancing Practice in Health and Social Science.

Course Outline

The part-time Post-Graduate Diploma in Cancer Care for Allied Health Care Professionals (120 credits) will consist of 5 modules at level M: 4 modules will attract 20 credits and 1 attract 40 credits. All modules offered are compulsory and provide an opportunity to develop knowledge of cancer care and apply this to the student's own professional background.   Modules include:

-The Science of Cancer Care (Core Module 20 credits): This module will explore and challenge current knowledge in relation to the biological underpinning of the nature of cancer and cancer care. Treatment modalities for cancer patients will be analysed both in terms of their physiological and psychological impact on the patient and their family. New developments in cancer biology, genetics, diagnostics and treatments will be examined.

 - Developing Cancer Services (Core Module 20 credits): This module will enable practitioners to gain the skills required to develop cancer services. The development of new roles to meet the needs of cancer patients and their families will be considered.  The impact of trends in healthcare away from the acute sector will also be discussed in relation to the delivery of cancer services. Principles of health care evaluation will be examined in relation to the practitioner's professional background.

-Supporting the Cancer Patient (Core Module 20 credits): This module will explore topics related to the support of the cancer patient and their family. Topics will include issues around maximizing health and well being, treatment related symptoms, ethical dilemmas, survivorship.

-Management of Patients with Advanced Disease (Core Module 20 credits): This module will focus on symptom management for patients with advanced cancer. Issues surrounding loss and grief will also be explored and the development of effective communication skills.

-Tools and Methods to Advance Cancer Practice (Core Module 40 credits): This module will provide an opportunity to study a range of research methodologies and to consider their application to practice issues.  

Following successful completion of these modules there will be an opportunity for students to undertake a dissertation in order to progress to the award of an MSc in Advancing Practice in Health and Social Science.

For further discussion please contact                                               

Jacquie Woodcock [Programme Leader] on 020 7808 2118                

or e:mail Jacquie.Woodcock@rmh.nthames.nhs.uk

The Royal Marsden School of Cancer Nursing and Rehabilitation,

Fulham Road, LONDON, SW3 6JJ.