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16 October 2018

National cancer survey results show significant improvement in the experience of UH Bristol patients

Results from the latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) has shown that University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is now better than the national average in eight areas which are scored by patients.

The Trust has undertaken a range of work over the last four years to enhance the experience of cancer patients, including an extensive feedback project in 2016 which has helped to form a wider improvement plan.

So far, the Trust has implemented the following to improve the experience of cancer patients receiving treatment at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC):

  • Increased patient access to clinical nurse specialists through investment in new posts and different ways of working
  • Continued to develop the cancer support worker role, to compliment complement the cancer specialist workforce.  Staff in these roles directly support patients with less complex needs, allowing clinical nurse specialists to focus on the more complex cases
  • Rolled out a recovery package(holistic needs assessments, health and wellbeing events and treatment summaries), to help patients live well with and beyond cancer
  • Increased the amount of volunteers in the chemotherapy and radiotherapy departments
  • Installed a new Macmillan cancer information hub in the main entrance of the Bristol Royal Infirmary
  • Reviewed and developed the psychology services available in BHOC
  • Began a Macmillan allied health professionals cancer rehabilitation project, providing therapy support and fatigue management courses

Patients who completed this recent national survey would have been diagnosed in the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre during April, May and June 2017.

Lisa Castellaro, interim lead cancer nurse at the Trust, said:

"We are still working on several big projects which we hope will continue to improve the experience of our patients for years to come.

"We have been allocated two years of funding from NHS England to enable us to deliver the recovery package, which means we're able to offer a consistent service to all patients being diagnosed, treated or living with cancer in the region.

"Ward D603 in the BHOC is going to be refurbished, and we're reconfiguring the way we use the space on levels four and five of the building to try and reduce waiting times in outpatients and the chemotherapy day unit.

"In the future, we're also looking towards building a cancer wellbeing centre at the Trust. This is one of the most exciting changes that will happen for our patients and will provide a haven away from the hospital environment for support and information."


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