Quality and Experience

We believe that high-quality cancer care is about more than clinical outcomes – it’s about the experience of every person affected by cancer. Our work focuses on ensuring that care is safe, effective, and delivered with compassion, while listening to what matters most to patients, carers, and families. By embedding quality improvement into everything we do, we aim to reduce variation, improve standards, and make sure services are responsive to local needs.

We work closely with healthcare professionals, patient groups, and partner organisations to gather feedback, share best practice, and drive continuous improvement. From patient surveys and involvement initiatives to pathway reviews and safety measures, this section highlights how we measure, monitor, and enhance both the quality of care and the experience of those who receive it. Together, we’re building a system where every voice counts, and every interaction makes a positive difference.

Governance of Quality and Patient Experience

We have a dedicated Quality & Experience Steering Group that provides strategic oversight and assurance for all aspects of care quality, patient experience, and quality of life across the cancer pathway. This group brings together clinical leaders, patient representatives, managers, and partners from across the region to ensure that services are safe, effective, compassionate, and responsive to everyone’s needs.

The Steering Group reviews data, listens to patient voices, and works to reduce inequalities and unwarranted variation in care. By promoting best practice, supporting staff wellbeing, and encouraging innovation, the group helps drive continuous improvement. The group reports directly to the Alliance Programme Board and works closely with other steering groups and forums to ensure a joined-up approach to quality and experience across the North East and North Cumbria.

Patient Experience & Quality of Life Forum

A key part of our approach is the Patient Experience & Quality of Life Forum. This forum brings together professionals, lay representatives, and voluntary sector partners to ensure that the voices and experiences of people affected by cancer are at the heart of our work. The forum analyses patient experience and quality of life data, reviews national surveys, shares best practice, and develops action plans to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities. It helps shape our strategy and improvement activities, ensuring that every patient’s experience matters.