Guidance on helping low performing trusts to improve patient experiences of cancer care have been released by NHS Improving Quality (NHS IQ).
The guide, created in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support, builds on the results of the 2014 Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES), which showed variation in how patients rate their experience of care.
One in five cancer patients said they felt like "a set of symptoms rather than a human being" in the latest survey.
Guidance on helping low performing trusts to improve patient experiences of cancer care have been released by NHS Improving Quality (NHS IQ).
The guide, created in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support, builds on the results of the 2014 Cancer Patient Experience Survey (CPES), which showed variation in how patients rate their experience of care.
One in five cancer patients said they felt like "a set of symptoms rather than a human being" in the latest survey.
CPES reflects the views of more than 70,000 patients across England, and identifies which trusts may need to make improvements.
NHS IQ, NHS England and Macmillan will be running a series of events for commissioners between November 2014 and 2015 to explore how the CPES results can be used to drive improvements in commissioning cancer care.
The hands-on-guide is intended primarily for cancer nurses and multidisciplinary teams, and aims to provide the practical tools and advice needed to deliver successful change programmes. NHS IQ says the guidance will also be relevant to commissioners.
The guide includes:
– A quality improvement checklist
– Case studies
– Examples of notable practice
– 'Quick wins'
– High impact improvements
– Signposts to free tools and resources
Jane Whittome, head of the Experience of Care programme at NHS Improving Quality, said: “This guide offers a blend of project management and improvement techniques, based on practical know-how and our first-hand experience of working with NHS teams. It will make a real difference to the quality of cancer patients’ experience, and help to ensure that no matter where a person is treated, they can expect top quality care and services.”
Jagtar Dhanda, head of inclusion at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “Macmillan’s own research shows that for the majority of cancer patients being treated with dignity and compassion by NHS staff is as important as getting the best medical treatment.
“We’re positive that this new guide will be an essential step towards ensuring that all staff are equipped and supported to treat every cancer patient with the highest levels of dignity and respect.”
