Sir.–There will be many among your readership who, having been diagnosed with cancer, have benefited from the support offered to them by Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).

We know that the NHS is looking to make savings, yet during the election period the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties both stated the importance of nursing support for people with cancer.

As a coalition of charities that represents over half of the people diagnosed with cancer in the UK, and the people who care for them, we are calling on David Cameron to safeguard these vital roles.

The role of the CNS is critical to the wellbeing of patients, greatly improving their experience of treatment and aftercare by giving them the support and information they need, when they need it.

Research also shows that specialist nurses save the NHS money by ensuring patients receive the most appropriate care, reducing hospital admissions and bed days.

If the NHS is to be more cost effective, then more not less needs to be spent on these valued and valuable nurses.

–Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive, Bowel Cancer UK Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Chief Executive, The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Pamela Goldberg, Chief Executive, Breast Cancer Campaign Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Breakthrough Breast Cancer