There are different ways for you to feedback on your cancer care. Your feedback is important and can help to improve and shape cancer care services.
The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey invites cancer patients to give feedback on the care they have received. The survey is run by Picker on behalf of NHS England.
All adult patients (aged 16 and over), with a primary diagnosis of cancer, who have been admitted to hospital as inpatients for cancer related treatment, or who were seen as day case patients for cancer related treatment and have been discharged between April and June each year are included in the survey. The survey focuses on a specific period each year so the that results can be compared each year.
The survey is sent by post to eligible patients in November each year.
The survey results are used to understand where care is working well and how NHS cancer services across England can be improved. Results from the survey are used by providers to improve the experience of cancer patients at a national, regional, and local level.
You can view the results to see what patients have said about their experience of cancer care.
The survey asks questions about your experience of care at all stages of the cancer pathway including diagnosis, decisions about treatment, care planning, hospital care, treatment, side effects, support while at home, and living with and beyond cancer.
You can also leave written comments to let us know what was positive about your experience or cancer care and what could have been better.
There is more information about the survey including the latest results on this website.
There are other ways you can feedback about your care (including your cancer care) at any time. You can share feedback with your care team or another member of staff. We have listed below some of the ways you can share your feedback.
You can also ask members of staff about ways to feedback locally, as this might be different in your area. If you need support to share your feedback, you can speak to a member of your care team.
What is PALs?
Feedback can be provided through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or patient services manager for the NHS hospital where you received care. The PALS offer confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. Each local hospital should have a PALS.
Where can I find more information?
For more information and to find contact details for PALS in your local hospital, you can visit What is PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)? – NHS.
What are Patient Participation Groups?
You can share feedback with your GP practice. This can include Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) which are made up of a group of volunteer patients, the practice manager and GPs from a practice. The PPGs meet regularly to discuss the services on offer, and how improvements can be made for the benefit of patients and the practice.
There are websites where you can share feedback on your care. Examples of this include:
What is the Friends and Family Test?
The NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT) is an important feedback tool that supports the fundamental principle that people who use NHS services should have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience. Listening to the views of patients and staff helps identify what is working well, what can be improved and how. It’s a quick and anonymous way to give your views after receiving NHS care or treatment.
Who can feedback through FFT?
Anyone can share feedback through FFT. If you want to do this, you can directly get in touch with the NHS organisation where you had care (for example, by asking your NHS trust or GP practice about FFT).
After you’ve completed your treatment or you’re discharged from a service, you may be invited to complete the FFT. You may be asked while you’re still on the premises, or you may be contacted later. Some providers may ask you to give your feedback by post, by text message, over the phone or using their website.
How are the results used?
Feedback gathered through the FFT is used in NHS organisations to stimulate local improvement. Here are some examples of how FFT results have been used: Friends and Family Test – case studies
What can I feedback?
The FFT will ask about your overall experience of the service and you will also have the opportunity to leave written comments. Local organisations might include additional questions about your experience of care.
Where can I find more information?
To find out more about the FFT, visit: NHS England » Friends and Family Test
There are 20 Cancer Alliances in England. Cancer Alliances lead on planning and delivery of cancer care in their local area.
This page shares information on which Cancer Alliance covers your area. You can share feedback directly with your Cancer Alliance: NHS England » Cancer Alliances – improving care locally
You have the right to make a complaint about any aspect of NHS care, treatment or service. Everyone who provides an NHS service in England must have their own complaints procedure.
For more information about making a complaint to the NHS please visit: How to make a complaint to the NHS.