Patient surveys
Getting Involved
Why Your Voice Matters
Every year, thousands of people across England are invited to take part in three important national surveys that help improve cancer care:
- The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES)
- The Cancer Quality of Life Survey (QoL)
- U16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey
These surveys are your opportunity to tell the NHS what worked well for you, what could be better, and how cancer has affected your life. Your feedback helps shape services that truly reflect what patients need.
Who is it for?
Patients aged 16 and over who were treated for cancer as an inpatient or day-case and left hospital between April and June.
What does it ask?
The survey covers your experience across the cancer pathway—from diagnosis and treatment to hospital care and support at home.
Why is it important?
Your responses help NHS trusts and cancer alliances understand what’s working and where improvements are needed. For example, in the 2024 survey:
- 4% of patients said their care team worked well together.
- 6% rated the administration of care as good or very good.
- But only 71.9% were offered information about financial help.
Learn more or take the survey:
Who is it for?
People diagnosed with cancer who are invited to complete the survey around 18 months after diagnosis.
What does it ask?
This shorter survey focuses on your emotional, physical, and social wellbeing. It uses two trusted questionnaires (EQ-5D-5L and EORTC QLQ-C30) to understand how cancer has affected your life.
Why is it important?
The survey helps the NHS track the long-term impact of cancer and improve support services. For example, it informs regional plans for better psychosocial support and helps identify where care needs to be more personalised.
Learn more or take the survey:
The Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey (U16 CPES) is a national NHS survey that asks children and young people under 16 – and their parents or carers – about their experiences of cancer care in England.
It helps the NHS understand what’s working well and where improvements are needed, so that children affected by cancer receive the best possible care and support.
Who is it for?
Children under 16 who were treated for cancer or a tumour in an NHS Principal Treatment Centre (PTC) are invited to take part, along with their parents or carers.
There are three versions of the survey:
- Ages 0–7: completed by parents or carers
- Ages 8–11: includes sections for both child and parent/carer
- Ages 12–15: includes sections for both child and parent/carer
Why is it important?
It gives children and families a voice in shaping cancer services.
It highlights areas for improvement, such as communication, emotional support, and hospital facilities.
It helps the NHS and charities work together to improve care across England.
What happens with your feedback?
Your responses are:
- Used by NHS England to improve services nationally and locally.
- Shared with cancer charities to help them advocate for better care.
- Reviewed by healthcare professionals to guide training and service design.
Learn more or take the survey:
👉 U16 Cancer Survey
