Review 2026–2027

Skills for Health has been commissioned by the UK NOS Governance Group to review the Radiotherapy National Occupational Standards (NOS) during 2026–2027.

The review will ensure that the NOS continue to reflect current radiotherapy practice and the skills, knowledge and understanding required by the workforce.

What are National Occupational Standards?

Skills for Health champions workforce learning and development based on competences and National Occupational Standards. As a sector skills body, we develop and maintain NOS for healthcare occupations.

NOS are statements of competence that describe the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to carry out a particular task or role to a nationally recognised level.

They set out what an individual needs to be able to do, as well as what they need to know and understand, to work effectively. Each NOS includes agreed performance criteria and knowledge and understanding that must be demonstrated for an individual to be considered competent.

NOS describe the minimum standard to which an individual is expected to work in a given occupation.

Why are the Radiotherapy NOS being reviewed?

Cancer care remains a major priority across the UK, with national health strategies focused on areas including earlier diagnosis, reducing waiting times, improving access to treatment and delivering better outcomes for patients.

Radiotherapy practice and the workforce supporting it continue to develop. It is therefore important that the Radiotherapy NOS are reviewed to ensure they remain current, relevant and reflective of practice across the UK.

National Occupational Standards can support:

How will the review be carried out?

The project will be supported by a UK-wide Steering Group, bringing together sector expertise to provide advice, guidance and oversight throughout the review.

Stakeholder input will be an important part of the project. Skills for Health will also conduct a public consultation in late 2026, giving stakeholders across the UK an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed NOS before they are finalised.

How can I get involved?

We want the revised NOS to reflect current radiotherapy practice and the needs of the workforce, and input from people with relevant knowledge and experience is essential.

There are two ways to get involved:

• Join the Steering Group: If you have relevant expertise and would like to contribute to the review as a member of the UK-wide Steering Group, we would like to hear from you.
• Take part in the public consultation: You can also register your interest in participating in the public consultation, which is planned for late 2026.