Dr Tayana Soukup, a researcher in the Centre for Implementation Science at King’s College London is working with East of England Cancer Alliances, Cambridge University NHS Foundation Trust, and University of Suffolk to develop and deliver the training programme which is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Following a stakeholders meeting in early 2020, which involved East of England Cancer Alliance, NHS England managers, multidisciplinary (MDT) team members and leads, patient representatives and Dr Tayana Soukup (a researcher with expertise in MDTs), they identified priorities that needed to be addressed in the region to improve MDT working.

One of these priorities was training and upskilling of MDT coordinators who are often undervalued and experience many challenges within their MDTs. Dr Benjamin W Lamb, an MDT lead and consultant urological and robotic surgeon and Tayana Soukup collaborated with colleagues from the University of Suffolk to design, develop and deliver the training. Funding has been provided by Health Education England for six courses beginning in 2021. The course, 'Training in excellence: in the functioning of multidisciplinary team meetings for MDT co-ordinators', is delivered over six study days. The sessions are delivered through a virtual learning platform with a combination of facilitator led and self-directed workshops and activities. Each day includes time for reading, reflection and discussion.

The next step is designing these courses for cancer nurse specialists  who also need this type of training. Read more about the course