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Background: Nutritional prehabilitation may improve haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes, although little evidence exists. The present study aimed to understand healthcare professional (HCP) perceptions of prehabilitation and nutritional care pre‐HCT in UK centres. Methods: An anonymous online survey (developed and refined via content experts and piloting) was administered via email to multidisciplinary HCPs in 39 UK adult centres, between July 2021 and June 2022. Data are presented as proportions of responses. Routine provision denotes that care was provided >70% of time. Results: Seventy‐seven percent (n = 66) of HCPs, representing 61.5% (n = 24) of UK adult HCT centres, responded. All HCPs supported prehabilitation, proposing feasible implementation between induction chemotherapy (60.4%; n = 40) and first HCT clinic (83.3%; n = 55). Only 12.5% (n = 3) of centres had a dedicated prehabilitation service. Nutrition (87.9%; n = 58), emotional wellbeing (92.4%; n = 61) and exercise (81.8%; n = 54) were considered very important constituents. HCPs within half of the HCT centres (n = 12 centres) reported routine use of nutrition screening pre‐HCT with a validated tool; 66.7% of HCPs (n = 36) reported using the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST). Sixty‐two percent (n = 41) of HCPs reported those at risk, received nutritional assessments, predominantly by dietitians (91.6%; n = 22) using the dietetic care process (58.3%; n = 14). Body mass index (BMI) was the most frequently reported body composition measure used by HCPs (70.2%, n = 33). Of 59 respondents, non‐dietitians most routinely provided dietary advice pre‐HCT (82.4%; n = 28 vs. 68%; n = 17, p = 0.2); including high‐energy/protein/fat and neutropenic diet advice. Prophylactic enteral feeding pre‐HCT was rare, indicated by low BMI and significant unintentional weight loss. Just under half (n = 25 of 59, 42.4%) HCPs reported exercise advice was given routinely pre‐HCT. Conclusions: Nutrition and prehabilitation pre‐HCT are considered important and deliverable by HCPs, but current provision in UK centres is limited and inconsistent. Key Points: Prehabilitation was considered important in the context of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation care by all health care professionals (HCPs), although only 12.5% of centres had a dedicated prehabilitation service.There are inequities in nutritional care provision prior to haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) between transplantation centres.Lack of nutrition screening and systematic approaches to body composition assessments may limit the potential to identify and optimise nutritional and functional health prior to HCT.Non‐dietitians most frequently provided dietary advice pre‐HCT. Dietary advice focused on total energy intake (71.1%, n = 32) over protein (46.7%, n = 21), fat (44.4%, n = 20) and fibre (24.4%, n = 11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are well placed to deliver physical activity advice but this is currently not routine clinical practice. Increasing evidence demonstrates physical activity can improve quality-of-life for people affected by cancer, enable behaviour change, improve survival and reduce longterm treatment effects. We aimed to understand AHPs' current knowledge and practice in advising about physical activity. Materials and methods: AHPs' self-reported knowledge, competency and training needs in managing physical effects of cancer, and the merits of physical activity data were collected via an online survey. The survey link was cascaded electronically to all NHS and NHS-affiliated AHPs working across several generic and non-cancer-specific healthcare interfaces across one city in England. Results: Eighty AHPs responded. Forty-one percent of AHPs had patients with current or past diagnoses of cancer. Overall, AHPs reported low confidence in giving physical activity advice, with physiotherapists the most confident. 60% of respondents identified training needs concerning the impact of cancer. Conclusions: Although the merits of physical activity for people affected by cancer is clearly evidenced, low levels of AHP confidence and competence in discussing this topic limit patients' awareness and access to services. Addressing this confidence and competence has potential to improve patient outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of people affected by cancer (PABC) are living longer lives as treatment continues to advance. There is growing evidence for physical activity (PA) supporting health in this population before, during and after cancer treatment, but PA advice is not part of usual care. This study investigates views of frontline oncology healthcare professionals (HCPs) in one NHS teaching hospital in England to understand the role of PA advice across cancer services. This was a qualitative study interviewing HCPs and using thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: 1. Awareness of the roles of PA in cancer; 2. Patient-specific factors in rehabilitation; 3. Cancer-specific factors in rehabilitation; 4. Barriers and opportunities to integrating PA within usual care. HCPs' awareness of the role of PA in cancer rehabilitation was low overall and PA was found not to be embedded within rehabilitation. Contrastingly, there was awareness of PA's potential to impact disease and treatment-related outcomes positively. Ideas for PA integration included training for staff and giving PA advice within consultations. Low awareness of benefits of PA-based rehabilitation and lack of integration in usual care contrasted with HCPs' interest in this area's potential. Training HCPs to begin the conversation with patients affected by cancer in teachable moments may increase patient access. Integrating physical activity education and training for trainees and existing healthcare professionals workforce would help embed physical activity into routine clinical practice. Brief advice intervention training during every consultation, such as providing relevant individualised information and signposting, can be impactful. Physical activity within a broader cancer rehabilitation programme should be integrated as standard for every cancer patient. Individualised plans may include prehabilitation, restorative rehabilitation and palliative rehabilitation. Patient preferences and the patient experience should continue to shape service design. There is a need to ensure physical activity advice is consistent throughout healthcare settings and not fragmented between primary, secondary and tertiary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To report on the development, implementation and evaluation of the first year of the National Institute for Health Research 70@70 Senior Nurse Research Leader Programme. Background: Internationally, there is a lack of nursing and midwifery research and policy contribution to healthcare sectors. To address this, funding was obtained for a Senior Nurse and Midwife Research Leader Programme in England. The programme aimed to increase nursing and midwifery research capacity and capability and support the development of future research leaders. Design: The programme had three phases: development, implementation and evaluation. The cohort study's evaluation phase consisted of a survey and qualitative written feedback. Methods: An online survey was sent to cohort members (n = 66). Quantitative survey data was analysed in Survey Monkey. Written feedback asked cohort members to summarise their activities and any challenges. Data were thematically analysed. The "Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology" reporting checklist was used. Results: Thirty‐nine (59%) cohort members responded to the survey. Responders valued being part of a network (46%), having protected time (22%) and having workplace autonomy (13%). Challenges reported included difficulties accessing online resources (32%), lack of collaborative opportunities (17%) and organisational barriers (10%). Fifty‐six (85%) cohort members submitted the written report. The main themes were "relationship and profile building", "developing capability and capacity", "developing the workforce", "patient and public involvement and engagement" and "quality improvement." Conclusions: The 70@70 programme has increased the research profile of the nursing and midwifery professions at a local and national level. International healthcare systems can learn from this, by considering optimal ways to provide nurses and midwives with the tools, resources and confidence to actively contribute to research policy and practice. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The initiatives undertaken through year 1 of the programme have created a platform through which research can be incorporated into clinical practice, education and teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise support for people with cancer is a national priority. The purpose of this study was to identify the success factors necessary to create a model of exercise support for people affected by cancer in a large city in the north of England. Two groups of participants were recruited; people affected by cancer (n = 26) and professional stakeholders (n = 14) contributing to either focus groups or semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Results from this study suggest that the promotion of exercise is not a priority in routine cancer care. Patients identified a lack of support and difficulty attaining information as a barrier to becoming active, emphasising a gulf between the patients' needs and the health professionals' priorities. People affected by cancer and professionals agreed that exercise was beneficial to cancer patients both during and after treatment. For an exercise pathway to be successful, key factors were identified including accessibility; tailored support; social interaction; affordability; competence of exercise delivery staff. There was consensus on the importance of exercise and critical factors required to develop a sustainable, accessible and effective service. Evidence to inform the development of an exercise pathway for people affected by cancer is provided. Exercise should be an included component of a cancer treatment plan, discussed and initiated from diagnosis. Health professionals have a responsibility to provide clear, consistent evidence-based advice on exercise. Exercise professionals must be appropriately trained in cancer rehabilitation according to National Institute for Health and care Excellence (2014). Individual assessments of exercise needs, preferences and cancer limitations will result in a bespoke plan of recommendations and support. The option of group activities has the advantage of increased social interaction, peer support and shared experiences. Available exercise/physical activity services should be accessible and affordable but may involve a modest contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]