Newsletter June 2025
This page contains all the latest news and updates from the Improvement Programmes Team.
Welcoming our brand-new Clinical Champions
The Improvement Programmes Team is proud to welcome Cohort 5 of our Clinical Champions!
They are an outstanding and diverse community of healthcare professionals from across the UK who are ambitious to lead the way in transforming prostate cancer care.
They've been selected for their passion, innovation, and commitment to improving prostate cancer care. Over the course of the programme, they will develop and deliver impactful projects aimed at addressing key challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and patient experience, including
Each Clinical Champion brings a unique perspective and expertise to the programme, and together they represent the future of prostate cancer care. From leading new diagnostic pathways to enhancing support services for patients, their work is set to make a tangible difference across the health system.
Meet the new Clinical Champions and learn more about their improvement projects by visiting the Clinical Champions page.
Join us in celebrating their journey and stay tuned for updates about their work.
Equality in Prostate Cancer Programme: Applications now open
The Improvement Programmes Team have launched our Equality in Prostate Cancer Programme. A free leadership development programme designed to equip healthcare professionals with the leadership skills and knowledge to address disparities in prostate cancer care.
This programme aims to ensure that all men, regardless of their background, have equitable access to timely diagnosis, personalised treatment, and culturally sensitive support.
Participants will be supported to lead an improvement project to reduce inequalities in prostate cancer care. They will be supported by expert guidance and tailored training in leadership, change management, and culturally sensitive healthcare delivery.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is open to a wide range of primary care professionals, with no prior leadership experience needed. You just need a commitment to improving equity in prostate cancer care.
Join a community of healthcare professionals dedicated to making prostate cancer care more equitable and inclusive for all men.
Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 27 July
Our next Innovation Event
You're invited to our next Innovation Event happening on Thursday 31 July. We'll be exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) on the prostate cancer diagnostic pathway. You'll hear from a range of fantastic expert speakers!
Date: Thursday 31 July
Time: 12:00 - 1:30pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
Who is the event for?
This event is perfect for clinical and non-clinical professionals who are shaping local urology and prostate cancer services. It's a great opportunity for you to learn best practice and witness innovations in action. Feel free to pass along this invitation to colleagues who might be interested.
A quick recap of our last event
Last time, we learned about projects that are optimising the prostate cancer diagnostic pathway. We heard from our fantastic expert speakers, Dr Netty Kinsella RN, MSc. PhD; Jaimin Bhatt; Rachel Baker-Green and Arbaaz Allybux who discussed their experience and insights on improving the diagnostic pathway.
Mark your calendar for Thursday 31 July, 12:00 - 1:30pm. Any questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch.
Looking forward to having you with us,
Essie, Lubna, Andrew, Ellie, Genna and Jess
Policy and Health Influencing Team
Prostate Cancer UK
Alumni Event 2025
The Improvement Programmes Team hosted our Alumni Event 2025. A day of connection, leadership insight, and celebration. This was more than just a reunion, it was an inspiring celebration of growth, impact, and networking. Reminding us that everything we do is for men affected by prostate cancer.
Highlights included:
- Interactive sessions on effective influencing and adapting as a leader,
- A practical session on dealing with hearing 'no' as a leader and overcoming resistance
- A standout afternoon conversation with leaders from Prostate Cancer UK.
The day closed with reflections and well-deserved celebratory drinks.
Navigating change
Supporting your cancer service through uncertainty
The government’s decision to dissolve NHS England and bring its functions under the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) marks a major shift in how healthcare is managed. While the intention is to cut red tape and better align healthcare with national priorities, we recognise that this change brings real uncertainty. Particularly for cancer services already working hard to meet demanding targets, like the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard and the 62-day referral-to-treatment timeline.
Understandably, concerns are growing around the lack of a clear implementation plan. Transitions of this scale can create delays in decision-making and strain resource allocation. Both of which are crucial for timely cancer diagnosis and treatment.
In times like these, strong and steady leadership is vital. One helpful model to guide teams through complexity is the McKinsey 7-S Framework. This model encourages leaders to look at organisation and services to focus on seven interconnected elements: Strategy, Structure, Systems, Shared Values, Skills, Style, and Staff.
Within the model the Hard ‘S’ elements are easily identifiable and influenced by leadership and management. They include Strategy, Structure, and Systems.
Soft ‘S’ elements are those that are intangible and culture driven. They include Shared Values, Style, Staff, and Skill.
By aligning these internal factors, leaders can better understand challenges, spot misalignments, and steer their teams through change with confidence and clarity.
While the road ahead may be uncertain, with the right tools and a holistic approach, you can continue to support cancer services and ensure patients receive the timely care they need.
Check out our resources for professionals
Visit our Online Learning Platform. A free, comprehensive online learning resource designed specifically for health professionals involved in prostate cancer care. Developed by GPs and clinical experts, it offers flexible, interactive courses and webinars to support early diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient support.
If you are a current Clinical Champion or an alumnus, you can access our Clinical Champions Hub, a central online space for Prostate Cancer UK’s Clinical Champions Programme. You’ll find a mixture of available resources: audio, visual, long and short, along with pre-learning and presentations.
The Improvement Programme Team are here to support professionals leading change in prostate cancer care. Book a call with a member of our team to explore how we can support you.
