Cancer Patient Experience Survey results released

The 2023 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES) results have been published, with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) performing well in comparison to other NHS Trusts in England.

The survey, conducted every year by Picker on behalf of NHS England, aims to understand patients' experiences of cancer care, and the results are used to improve the quality of NHS cancer services.

The survey asks a variety of questions about people's experience of care, including how involved patients felt in decisions about their care, whether the information they were given was easy to understand, and whether they felt they had enough support from staff.

In total, 2,872 patients were contacted across 13 different types of cancer categories to complete the questionnaire about their OUH cancer care and experience, with an above national average of 55% (1,571 patients) submitting their feedback.

OUH had 18 questions that scored 'above the expected range', including how the patients are:

• treated with respect and dignity while in hospital,
• able to discuss worries and fears with hospital staff,
• able to get help from ward staff when needed,
• involved in decisions about their care and treatment while in hospital,
• involved as much as they want to be in decisions about their treatment,
• And that cancer research opportunities were discussed with them.

The Trust had no scores rated as 'below the expected range'. There were no scores 'significantly higher or lower' compared to the 2022 results.

Patients gave a rating of nine out of 10 for overall experience of care, which is about average when compared to the national results.

Alex Poole, Lead Cancer Nurse at OUH, said "I am very thankful to all our patients who have taken the time to provide us with their feedback. Our cancer workforce is committed to delivering excellent patient-centred care. With these patient insights into our cancer services, we will work with the different cancer specialities to identify areas for improvement."

The survey, first carried out in 2010, was overseen by a national Cancer Patient Experience Advisory Group.

It has been 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.

PG Roy, Clinical Director for Cancer at OUH, said: "I am delighted to see the positive results of the Cancer Patient Experience Survey for OUH. It is crucial that patients and their families get the support they deserve during the difficult times with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

"We are grateful for the patients to provide their invaluable feedback so we can continue to improve our cancer services. We want our patients to know that they have a voice and we are keen to learn from their experiences."

Andrew Carter, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at OUH, said: "This patient experience survey is an invaluable opportunity for us to hear the views of our cancer patients, and I am really pleased that the majority of these patients felt that they were well looked after.

"Thank you to all staff who work across our various hospital and satellite sites and deliver compassionate excellence to our patients."

The sample for the survey included all adult (aged 16 and over) NHS patients with a confirmed primary diagnosis of cancer, discharged from an NHS Trust after an inpatient episode or day case attendance for cancer related treatment in the months of April, May, and June 2023.

Full results can be found on the CPES website.