optics – a national programme transforming the cancer workforce to improve patient outcomes

Optics (optimising people to improve cancer services) is a national programme dedicated to improving cancer outcomes by strengthening the systems, leadership, data, and workforce conditions behind effective cancer services. Our mission is to optimise the cancer workforce so they can deliver the very best care for people affected by cancer. Using an appreciative enquiry approach, optics will develop a practical, evidence-based framework to help NHS organisations drive lasting improvements.

 

Why optics matters – and why it’s needed now

Despite significant advances, cancer outcomes still vary across the NHS. Research shows that workforce innovation and cultural change can spark real progress. But supporting leaders and specialist teams through today’s challenges requires a fresh approach. Optics combines learning from data with insights from the cancer workforce to co-design a methodology that delivers sustainable and national change.

 

What optics will deliver

The programme is working with some of the NHS’s highest-performing and most improved trusts to identify what drives successful teams and better outcomes.

Making an impact by:

•Harnessing national data to develop a workforce scorecard

•Capturing frontline insight

•Delivering tailored data intelligence packs

•Crafting key lines of enquiry (KLOEs)

•Engaging widely through surveys, interviews, roadshows, and workshops.

optics is co-producing tools and resources that early adopters will test and refine ready for rollout across the NHS.

 

What’s next?

In the months ahead, the programme will finalise intelligence packs, deepen our understanding of success factors, and work with early adopters to test and refine our tools, laying the groundwork for practical, evidence-based solutions across NHS cancer services.

 

Who’s behind optics?

Sponsored by NHS England Workforce, Training and Education and the National Cancer Programme. Delivered with Cancer Alliances across England and led by the East of England Cancer Alliance in partnership with NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit and the Health Innovation Network.

 

Get involved

We’re welcoming early adopters. Interested? Email: nhs.optics@nhs.net

Learn more: Visit optics – Cancer Alliances Workspace – Futures