NHS cancer care in North East and North Cumbria rated highly by patients

Cancer patients in the North East and North Cumbria have rated their overall NHS care as nine out of 10, according to national figures published yesterday.

The 2024 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) results for Northern Cancer Alliance show that 92% of patients said the whole care team worked well together and 89% said the administration of care was good or very good.

The annual NCPES is the most comprehensive survey of cancer patients’ experiences in England, with the latest results representing the views of more than 64,000 people across the country who had cancer-related treatment in April, May and June 2024.

In total, NCA scored above the expected range for 18 of the 58 questions, and none below the expected range, with improvements on the 2023 results in a number of areas. 4,711 patients completed the survey in the North East and North Cumbria.

Highlights include:

• 99% of patients said the care team reviewed their care plan with them to ensure was up to date (England score 99%)
• 96% of patients said enough privacy was always given when receiving diagnostic test results (England score 95%)
• 88% of patients said they completely had enough understandable information about their response to surgery (England score 87%)
• 86% of patients said they felt the length of waiting time at clinic and day unit for cancer treatment was about right (England score 79%)
• 84% of patients said they were offered the right amount of information and support between final treatment and the follow-up appointment (England score 81%)
• 84% of patients said they were always able to discuss worries or fears with hospital staff while being treated as an outpatient or day case (England score 80%)

Nicky Lambert, Clinical Lead for Nursing at NCA, said: “Patients are at the heart of their cancer care and listening to and, crucially, acting on what they have to say is vitally important.

“We’re delighted that patients in the North East and North Cumbria have rated their overall NHS care highly with positive results from all parts of their journey, from being diagnosed and having treatment, to living with and beyond cancer. It’s also great to see significant improvements in a number of areas and I’d like to thank all the dedicated staff who work tirelessly throughout the system to provide the best possible personalised care to our patients at every stage.

“We will work closely with our partners in GP practices, community and hospital services and the community and voluntary sector to understand these results further and make changes where necessary, while striving to provide even better care for our patients.”

NCPES is designed to monitor progress on cancer care; to provide information to drive local quality improvements; to assist commissioners and providers of cancer care; and to inform the work of the various charities and stakeholder groups supporting cancer patients.

See Northern Cancer Alliance’s full results here.