This is the largest cancer patient survey conducted each year in England with over 123,000 cancer patients responding to the survey this year.
In total 351 brain/central nervous system (CNS) tumour patients responded to the survey and overall there has been a drop in satisfaction for brain tumour patients’ care falling from an average of 8.52 out of 10 to 8.39.
There has also been a reduction in brain tumour/CNS patients’ perception that there were enough nurses on duty to care for them in hospital, falling almost 7% on last year’s results.
More positively, the results showed that more brain tumour patients are being asked to take part in research, with a 5% increase on last year’s results.
Elsewhere there has been an increase in brain tumour patients getting better information on after-care and side-effects.
We are disappointed that the results of this year’s National Cancer Patient Experience Survey have not been as good as hoped for brain tumour patients.”
It is clear from these results that the increasing pressures and demands of an already stretched cancer workforce are having an impact on the experiences and overall care for brain tumour patients.
On the very day that the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers his 2019 Spending Review, we hope there is a serious and significant commitment to fund the cancer workforce across the NHS.
We will continue working tirelessly with the Government and NHS England to ensure brain tumour patients always get the best treatment, care and support they need and deserve.
You can find full details of the NCPES results here