Cancer services rated highly at the RD&E

Cancer services at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust have been highly rated by patients after achieving more ‘above expected’ results than any other Trust in the country, according to results released recently.

The annual National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, now in its ninth year, is designed to monitor national progress on cancer care; to provide information to drive local quality improvements and to inform the work of groups supporting cancer patients, including the voluntary sector.

The survey was completed by over 1400 patients at the RD&E who received a cancer diagnosis and attended the hospital for treatment in April, May and June 2019.

Questions included whether patients felt they had been sensitively told they had cancer; how easy it was for patients to contact their clinical nurse specialist and whether patients were treated with respect and dignity while in hospital.

Above average

Overall, services at the RD&E scored 8.9 out of a possible 10 when asked to score their care on a scale of zero (very poor) to 10 (very good).

The Trust also rated above the national average on 27 questions, including:

• 94% of patients said that hospital staff gave them information about support or self-help groups for people with cancer
• 92% of patients always felt they were treated with respect and dignity while in hospital
• 98% of patients were told who to contact if they were worried about their condition or treatment after leaving hospital
• 98% of patients felt that they had all the information needed about the operation before it took place.

Partnership

Tina Grose, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “We’re really pleased with these results as they show that our patients have confidence in and are pleased with the care we provide.

“This positive experience is only made possible by the hard work of our dedicated cancer multi-disciplinary teams and partnership working with FORCE and ELF.

“Despite the overwhelmingly positive responses, as ever, we will analyse these results and look for areas and ways that we can improve our service.”

Dave Thomas, Interim Chief Nurse, said: “The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey results are extremely important to us as it allows us to hear directly from patients about the care they have received.

“I’m extremely pleased that our cancer patients highly rate the care they receive and am exceptionally proud of the team for all their hard work and determination to do everything they can for every patient in their care.”