New cancer statistics show that the vast majority of patients have a positive view on the care they receive across NHS Scotland.
The Cancer Patient Experience Survey is part of the country’s cancer action plan until 2026.
It is a collaboration between:
The survey was sent to anyone aged 16 and over with an inpatient or day case record with a mention of cancer and a discharge date between 1 October 2022 and 30 June 2023, with the sampling verified using the Scottish Cancer Registry.
Findings
The survey found that 19 in 20 (95%) people have positive experiences which is similar to 2018 and slightly higher than 2015 (94%). The overall score out of 10 for cancer care falls at an average of 9.1.
Other main findings include the lion’s share (96%) of people being treated with dignity and respect by NHS staff always or most of the time – this is slightly lower than in 2018 (97%).
The approach to diagnosis was handled “sensitively” according to more than four in five (84%) people, although this was higher in both 2018 and 2015 (86%).
More similar to 2018, however, was the proportion (79%) of people who were involved in discussions with healthcare professionals about their treatment.
Open communication also scored well, as just under nine in 10 (88%) found it easy to contact their clinical nurse specialist or named contact, and a similar amount (89%) got answers they could understand to important questions.
Reaction
“These results testify to the compassion and quality of care being offered to people with cancer by hard working NHS staff, but they also highlight where improvements are needed,” said Gordon McLean, strategic partnership manager at Macmillan.
McLean added that more needs to be done to ensure people receive a written care plan to help with both their clinical and wider needs.
He continued: “Far too many people did not receive financial information, even though cancer can cause huge financial anxiety, and impact by more than £1000 a month on average. Such gaps in meeting the wider needs of people with cancer must be addressed.”
Scotland’s health secretary, Neil Gray, added: “We are committed to further improvements in cancer care, which is why we are continuing to invest in initiatives that support earlier and faster diagnosis and drive person-centred and holistic care.
“We will continue to work with Macmillan, other third sector partners, and Health Boards to determine any new actions required to further improve the experience of people diagnosed with cancer."
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