Cancer Pathway Physical Activity Lead

The Cancer Pathways Physical Activity Lead will provide strategic and operational leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of physical activity initiatives across cancer pathways. Funded by Sport England through a fixed-term programme, the post will work with patients, healthcare professionals, community partners and voluntary sector organisations to embed physical activity within routine cancer care.

The post holder will lead the development of innovative, evidence-based approaches to support people before, during and after cancer treatment, promoting improved physical function, wellbeing, treatment tolerance and quality of life. Working across organisational and system boundaries, they will support cancer prehabilitation and rehabilitation services, contribute to service redesign and workforce development, and help establish sustainable models of care.

A key focus of the role will be reducing health inequalities by improving access to physical activity opportunities for underserved and disadvantaged populations affected by cancer. The post holder will provide specialist expertise, education and leadership to staff while engaging patients and communities to co-design services that meet local needs.

Main duties of the job

Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of physical activity initiatives across cancer pathways. Work with the Cancer Prehabilitation Team, multidisciplinary teams, primary care, community services and partner organisations to improve access to physical activity support for people affected by cancer.

Support the delivery of prehabilitation and rehabilitation programmes, providing advice and guidance to patients, carers and healthcare professionals on physical activity and behaviour change. Promote personalised care, self-management and improved health outcomes before, during and after cancer treatment.

Develop and deliver education and training to increase staff knowledge and confidence in promoting physical activity as part of routine cancer care.

Build partnerships with community and voluntary sector organisations to create sustainable referral pathways and improve access to local opportunities, particularly for underserved populations.

Collect and evaluate outcome data, contribute to service improvement, governance and reporting requirements, and support projects aimed at reducing health inequalities and improving patient experience.

Act as a champion for physical activity within cancer services, supporting innovation, collaboration and the delivery of evidence-based care.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations.

Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience.