Menu
25/02/2005
Cancer care needs more improvement
Cancer services in England "broadly improved" in 2004, the National Audit Office (NAO) has found, although improvements are still needed in some areas.
The NAO conducted a survey of over 4,000 patients with breast, lung, bowel and prostate cancer in England last year. The report said that "encouraging progress" had been made in most areas of patient care, since the introduction of the NHS Cancer Plan in 2000, although a minority of patients reported complaints in some areas.
The report found that two third of patients described the care received from their GP as "very good". Patients also reported an improvement in the waiting time to see a specialist – 58% said they were seen within two weeks of being referred by their GP, compared to 46% in 2000.
Patients also reported better communication regarding condition, treatment and tests than in 2000.
However a fifth of patients said that they did not fully understand most of the information and most patients said that they were not told how to make a complain and had difficulty in getting a satisfactory result when they did so.
Most patients gave largely positive responses regarding their treatment by hosptial doctors and nurses and most said hospital staff had done all they could to help ease pain, although some complained that they had to tell staff about their pain, rather than have their pain assessed by staff.
Most patients reported that that they had received support in dealing with distress and anxiety, although a fifth of those in hospital and a quarter of those outside hospital felt they did not receive enough help.
However, prostate cancer sufferers and London patients remained less positive about their care. Patients in London provided less than positive responses to over two-thirds of questions, while prostate cancer patients, gave less than positive responses to over two-thirds of questions, in areas such as length of wait from GP referral to seeing a specialist, discussion about the side effects of treatment and how it had gone and having a named nurse in charge of care.
The NAO recommended that particular attention needed to be given towards implementation of prostate cancer guidance, especially the provision of access to all patients of a urological cancer nurse specialist. The NAO also should that further investigation should be carried out into patient care in London.
Sir John Bourn, Head of the NAO, said: "There is no room for complacency – even if only 10 per cent of patients with major cancers were dissatisfied with some aspect of their care, that amounts to over 10,000 people a year. We look to the NHS to continue its drive for improvement in patient care, particularly with respect to patients in London and those with prostate cancer."
(KMcA/SP)
The NAO conducted a survey of over 4,000 patients with breast, lung, bowel and prostate cancer in England last year. The report said that "encouraging progress" had been made in most areas of patient care, since the introduction of the NHS Cancer Plan in 2000, although a minority of patients reported complaints in some areas.
The report found that two third of patients described the care received from their GP as "very good". Patients also reported an improvement in the waiting time to see a specialist – 58% said they were seen within two weeks of being referred by their GP, compared to 46% in 2000.
Patients also reported better communication regarding condition, treatment and tests than in 2000.
However a fifth of patients said that they did not fully understand most of the information and most patients said that they were not told how to make a complain and had difficulty in getting a satisfactory result when they did so.
Most patients gave largely positive responses regarding their treatment by hosptial doctors and nurses and most said hospital staff had done all they could to help ease pain, although some complained that they had to tell staff about their pain, rather than have their pain assessed by staff.
Most patients reported that that they had received support in dealing with distress and anxiety, although a fifth of those in hospital and a quarter of those outside hospital felt they did not receive enough help.
However, prostate cancer sufferers and London patients remained less positive about their care. Patients in London provided less than positive responses to over two-thirds of questions, while prostate cancer patients, gave less than positive responses to over two-thirds of questions, in areas such as length of wait from GP referral to seeing a specialist, discussion about the side effects of treatment and how it had gone and having a named nurse in charge of care.
The NAO recommended that particular attention needed to be given towards implementation of prostate cancer guidance, especially the provision of access to all patients of a urological cancer nurse specialist. The NAO also should that further investigation should be carried out into patient care in London.
Sir John Bourn, Head of the NAO, said: "There is no room for complacency – even if only 10 per cent of patients with major cancers were dissatisfied with some aspect of their care, that amounts to over 10,000 people a year. We look to the NHS to continue its drive for improvement in patient care, particularly with respect to patients in London and those with prostate cancer."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 August 2011
Cancer Survivors 'Should Exercise', Charity Claims
More than a million cancer survivors could be putting themselves at risk of long-term health problems because they are not physically active enough, a report by Macmillan Cancer Support has claimed. The charity's report, Move More, said that of the two million cancer survivors in the UK, around 1.
Cancer Survivors 'Should Exercise', Charity Claims
More than a million cancer survivors could be putting themselves at risk of long-term health problems because they are not physically active enough, a report by Macmillan Cancer Support has claimed. The charity's report, Move More, said that of the two million cancer survivors in the UK, around 1.
22 September 2008
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
Scottish Government Pledges Cap On Surgery Waiting Times
Scottish patients may soon have a legal guarantee that they will wait no longer than 12 weeks for surgery. The Scottish Government's Patient Rights Bill proposes a strict limit on how long they have to wait from their surgical referral to receiving their operation.
29 July 2010
£50M Fund For Cancer Drugs Announced
Cancer patients are set to get greater access to cancer drugs recommended by their doctors as a result of a new £50 million fund, the government has announced.
£50M Fund For Cancer Drugs Announced
Cancer patients are set to get greater access to cancer drugs recommended by their doctors as a result of a new £50 million fund, the government has announced.
14 August 2014
30 Women Recalled For Breast Screening Over Doctor Concerns
Up to 30 women are to be recalled for breast cancer screenings after five patients treated by the same doctor developed the disease. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has identified the group of 30 women from a total of 626 that were seen between 2011 and 2014. It is understood that the women need "urgent appointments" for reassessment.
30 Women Recalled For Breast Screening Over Doctor Concerns
Up to 30 women are to be recalled for breast cancer screenings after five patients treated by the same doctor developed the disease. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has identified the group of 30 women from a total of 626 that were seen between 2011 and 2014. It is understood that the women need "urgent appointments" for reassessment.
24 May 2005
Trials for prostate cancer drugs announced
Scientists have announced that they are testing new drugs that could be used to treat advanced prostate cancer. Currently, advanced prostate cancer is treated with hormone therapy. However, this only works for a short period of time, after which there are few other options for the patient, apart from palliative care.
Trials for prostate cancer drugs announced
Scientists have announced that they are testing new drugs that could be used to treat advanced prostate cancer. Currently, advanced prostate cancer is treated with hormone therapy. However, this only works for a short period of time, after which there are few other options for the patient, apart from palliative care.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
