Cancer patients’ experience of care in
the North is among the best in England. Trusts in the region topped a league
table measuring patient experience across England, according to results
released today by Macmillan Cancer Support, based on research commissioned by
NHS England.
The league table compares the
performance of hospitals across England based on measures of patients’
experiences while being treated in hospital such as: whether their diagnosis
and treatment options were explained clearly to them; whether they felt
supported in their care; and whether they felt they were treated with respect.
Macmillan believes patient experience is as vital as treatment to a cancer
patient’s quality of life.
Fay Scullion, General Manager for
Macmillan Cancer Support in the East Midlands and Northern England said: “We
know that the support and care people receive is as important as their actual
treatment, and can make all the difference between coping with cancer and
finding it a real struggle. For example, being told about financial help that
is available, or being provided with high quality information about their
cancer and its treatment.”
Patient experience matters – hospitals
should offer high standards of support as well as medical treatment. Good
patient care can help patients deal better with not only managing their own
condition once out of hospital, but also the emotional impact of cancer, and
building confidence to return to work.
In support of patients across the UK,
Macmillan today launches a new patient rights leaflet. Your Cancer Care
provides information about patients’ rights by outlining the eight key
behaviours in the Macmillan Values Based Standard. For example, patient should
expect to be:
- involved in decisions, be informed of the treatment options and why recommendations have been made
- communicated with in a sensitive way and be offered support. They should also share any concerns about what they are told
In addition to letting patients know
the standards they can expect, it introduces practical steps to support
patients to engage in their care and what to do if things wrong.
As well as supporting patients
directly, Macmillan Cancer Support believes that in order to ensure all cancer patients are treated with
the highest levels of dignity and respect, and staff are fully supported to
deliver this, the Government should:
- Actively
shine a light on poor care and demand hospitals take action to improve by:
o Publishing
a clear comparison of cancer patient experience in hospital trusts across the
country.
o Requiring
trusts to publish action plans addressing weaknesses in cancer patient
experience and staff engagement, and reporting annually on their progress.
- Make
sure all frontline staff have time to access training to deliver care with
dignity and respect. This could include courses on advanced communication
skills to have sensitive conversations with cancer patients, their
families and carers.
If you would like support on what you
can expect going through your treatment, or for support coping with cancer,
call 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
-Ends-
10 best performing Trusts
1. South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust
2. Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
3. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
4. St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
5. East Cheshire NHS Trust
6. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
7. South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
8. Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
9. Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
10. Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Macmillan has also produced a league
table highlighting the most improved Trusts:
10 most improved Trusts
1. The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
2. York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
3. University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
4. Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
5. Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
6. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
7. North Bristol NHS Trust
8. Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
9. South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
10. St George's Healthcare NHS Trust
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