More than 1,000 workers currently employed in an Allied Health Professional (AHP) role in Greater Manchester are set to benefit from cancer care training.

AHPs help people live their lives as fully as possible by treating, rehabilitating, and improving the lives of their patients. The include roles such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has awarded a £1.2m contract to the University of Salford to launch the Allies in Cancer Care training programme, which is part of the three-year Skills for Growth programme and has been made possible through the European Social Fund.

The training programme will be delivered by the University of Salford, in collaboration with The Christie School of Oncology, and supported by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance.

It aims to provide a greater understanding of what it means to support someone living with cancer and equip them with the skills needed to provide better patient care.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Greater Manchester’s lead for education, work, skills, apprenticeships, and digital, said: “Everyone deserves high-quality health care and that begins with accessible and affordable training for healthcare professionals.

"Supporting our health workforce is one of our highest priorities. Our communities have been telling us about how crucial good social healthcare is.

"We recognised the challenge and acted on it by launching this training opportunity aimed at developing the skills this sector needs to reach its potential.”