Excellence in Professional Education Programmes

Summary of work

Prostate Cancer UK is a large charity based in London providing a variety of support services for people affected by prostate cancer and disease, as well as services for healthcare professionals to develop their expertise.

Over 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and 250,000 men are living with the consequences of diagnosis. An ageing population means the number of men living with prostate disease is increasing and by 2030 it’s estimated that prostate cancer will be the most common cancer in the UK.

Worryingly, in 2012 a training needs analysis highlighted the lack of accessible education for health professionals in this area of care. Since 2012, Prostate Cancer UK’s education programme has worked to change this.

The charity has implemented and developed a comprehensive education programme for health professionals of all disciplines, including: UK wide face-to-face training, postgraduate education (such as the MSc Prostate Cancer Care at Sheffield Hallam University), a fortnightly webinar series, free e-learning provision, as well as educational funding for individual health professionals and organisations. Between January 2012 and December 2014, Prostate Cancer UK’s education programme has provided learning opportunities to over 15,000 health professionals across the UK, totalling over 40,000 learning hours.

Judges comments

This entry had a clear strategy and represented all stakeholders, though it’s clear that patients were genuinely at the centre of this programme. The use of case studies was very good as was the multi-channel approach used throughout. It is also very refreshing to see a non-pharma medical education programme.