Healthcare professionals from across Thames Valley came together on 14 October 2026 for a symposium exploring how the ACCEND framework can support workforce development and personalised cancer care.

Organised by Thames Valley Cancer Alliance, the Connecting ACCEND and Personalised Care: AHP & CNS Symposium took place at the Holiday Inn, High Wycombe, bringing together Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) and colleagues involved in cancer care.

The event featured a varied programme of presentations, practical examples and discussions, with attendees actively engaging with speakers and asking questions throughout the day.

Sharing knowledge and experience

The symposium opened with an introduction to making ACCEND work in practice, followed by a national overview of the framework from NHS England.

Sessions explored how multidisciplinary working can connect ACCEND with prehabilitation and rehabilitation, alongside practical examples of how the framework is being used across cancer services.

These included a nurse-led breast endocrine treatment clinic and multidisciplinary team approach, as well as experiences shared by physiotherapy and occupational therapy colleagues from Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Supporting professional development

The afternoon programme explored opportunities to support and develop the cancer workforce, including a session on AI and automation and an introduction to the ACCEND ePortfolio from Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance.

Representatives from Macmillan Cancer Support also discussed the support available to healthcare professionals working in cancer care.

The day concluded with a panel discussion and question-and-answer session, providing a further opportunity for attendees to engage with speakers and explore the topics covered.

Working together to improve cancer care

The symposium provided an opportunity for colleagues from different professional backgrounds to come together, share experiences and explore approaches to workforce development and personalised care.

Thames Valley Cancer Alliance would like to thank all the speakers and attendees who contributed to the day and helped make it an engaging and informative event.