Prehab4Cancer Achievements
Prehab4Cancer is proud to be an award-winning programme, with achievements that reflect our commitment to transforming cancer care to support and empower patients to improve their physical and mental health.
- HSJ Partnership Awards 2022: Best Not for Profit Working in Partnership with the NHS
Prehab4Cancer is the first UK ICB-delivered prehabilitation and recovery programme for cancer patients and is a partnership between GM Cancer alliance and GM Active.
The judges remarked that the work to address health inequalities was inspiring and the depth and breadth of ambition was clear. They were particularly impressed by the scale of partnership working, high-value outcomes and the manner in which they empower patients with tailored solutions.
- Greater Manchester Cancer Conference and Greater Manchester Cancer Awards 2022: Patient Choice Award Winner
The GM Cancer Conference brought to life the powerful themes of collaboration, equality, and innovation—showcasing how together, we are transforming cancer care for people across Greater Manchester and beyond.
The awards were an opportunity to celebrate all the outstanding work taking place within cancer services across Greater Manchester. We are thrilled to announce that Prehab4Cancer won the Patients’ Choice award at the Greater Manchester Cancer Awards 2022 alongside the One Stop Lung Cancer Clinic. The award means so much to the team as it was voted for by the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance User Involvement representatives, who were able to vote for any of the 18 finalists.
- UKactive Awards 2023: Top prize for Innovation
The UKactive judges applauded P4C ‘for being both important and revolutionary in delivering prehabilitation and recovery programmes for those managing a cancer diagnosis’.
P4C programme manager Jack Murphy says: “A cancer diagnosis can have a massive impact on a person and increasing physical activity levels while waiting for cancer treatment is often the last thing on a person’s mind, but with physical activity and our support, people can take a proactive role in their own care and have a positive impact their outcomes. As a result, they feel empowered to take back control of the diagnosis, whilst optimising their physical and mental condition to better cope with the rigours of cancer-related treatment. We can’t always control what life throws at us. However, we can control how prepared we are to face these life events and physical activity can be a key to this.”
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal Visits Prehab4Cancer Programme in Greater Manchester
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, Patron of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, visited the pioneering Prehab4Cancer programme, accompanied by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and representatives from the Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance.
During the visit, The Princess Royal observed several live demonstrations of prehabilitation assessments and interventions delivered by the Prehab4Cancer team. She also heard directly from staff and patients about the programme’s significant impact on physical and mental wellbeing, both in preparation for and recovery from cancer treatment.
To date, approximately 8,000 cancer patients across Greater Manchester have benefitted from the programme. Prehab4Cancer is the first system-wide prehabilitation initiative of its kind in the UK, offering support at this scale. It’s continued expansion is expected to support an even broader patient population in the future.
Zoe Merchant, AHP Clinical Lead and occupational therapist by background, said:
“The Prehab4Cancer programme focuses on using participant’s engagement in positive occupations, primarily exercise, to optimise them for their cancer treatment and supports enhanced recovery following treatment with increased independence and quality of life throughout their cancer pathway.
“We’re delighted that Her Royal Highness has been able to visit and see the service first-hand today, to celebrate the knowledge and skills brought together by the range of healthcare and exercise professionals involved to deliver an impactful service to patients that enhances their overall outcomes and experiences.”
Tony Collier, a patient representative living with prostate cancer said:
“I am a massive advocate of the benefits of exercise – not only physically but also the positive impact it can have on your mental health, especially when dealing with the challenges brought about by a cancer diagnosis.
“I’m thrilled to see how successful the Prehab team have been to date and hope to see this approach adopted across the country in future to support even more patients to live well during and after their treatment.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:
“Statistics now suggest that one in two of us will develop cancer in our lifetime, especially with many of us living longer, so it’s crucial to ensure that we focus not only on catching cancer early, but also that people are supported to live well both with and beyond cancer.
“I’m proud to see the collaboration that’s happened here in Greater Manchester and that this is now a model for best practice elsewhere to support our populations to continue to live well.”
Claire O’Rourke, Managing Director of Greater Manchester Cancer said:
“It is an honour to be visited by Her Royal Highness today to recognise the work of our Prehab4Cancer team. I’d like to thank all of our partners that have been involved in delivering this flagship initiative that has made such a difference to our patients.
“Greater Manchester Cancer is committed to developing innovative programmes of work that make use of the diverse range of knowledge and skills on offer from the range of healthcare professions within our system, so that we can continue to improve services for people affected by cancer across the region.”
