Cancer patients ‘positive’ about quality of care, survey finds

The Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey has found that the majority of cancer patients in Scotland were positive about the care they had received.

The survey, commissioned by the Scottish government and Macmillan Cancer Support, questioned almost 5,000 cancer patients, 94 per cent of which rated the quality of their care as seven out of 10 or higher.

The study also highlighted that those patients who had a care plan responded more positively across all 50 questions than those who did not. However, only 22 per cent of those surveyed had a care plan in place.

The findings of the survey also revealed room for improvement in cancer care, particularly in regard to helping people access support for their wider emotional, financial and practical needs.

The survey also suggested: 87 per cent of patients felt that they were always treated with dignity and respect by NHS staff; 86 per cent had confidence and trust in all the doctors treating them and 77 per cent had confidence and trust in all the nurses treating them; 84 per cent of patients reported that they had been provided with a clinical nurse specialist; and of these, 90 per cent received answers from the specialist that they could understand all or most of the time.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is heartening to know that in the majority of cases, patients are satisfied with the care they receive. Being diagnosed with cancer can be very traumatic for individuals and their families and it is vital we provide the best possible care and support.

"We know there is more to be done and that's why earlier this year we announced our £100 million cancer strategy, which makes clear the importance of listening to what people with cancer are saying about what matters to them, and acting on what they tell us."