Don’t let patients be silenced

Today we’re launching a new campaign to help save, of all things, a survey.

It may not sound hugely exciting, but the Cancer Patient Experience Survey is a crucial way to make sure patients have their voices heard in the new NHS.

At Macmillan, we believe that: all cancer patients should be treated with dignity, kindness, respect and compassion throughout their cancer journey a positive experience of care should be as important as effective treatment and clinical safety. a good experience empowers patients, helping them relate to professionals, and improving their well-being.

But, as the inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust showed, unfortunately many people aren’t getting the positive treatment they deserve.

What’s more, patients often tell us that they feel abandoned by the health system after leaving hospital, and that they aren’t getting the support they need or know who to go to for help.

It’s therefore really important that patients are able to have their say on the care they’ve received. This is what  NHS England’s National Cancer Patient Experience Survey of more than 70,000 patients has aimed to do since it was launched in 2010. 

The survey helps to measure how cancer care varies in England and it's  a vital tool for increasing transparency and empowering patients. However, despite the survey’s importance, its future is under review and we still don’t know if it will continue after this year.

How to help

Macmillan believes it is vital that NHS England commits to conducting the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey annually to make sure cancer patients' voices are heard and acted upon.

We need your help to show NHS England that there is strong public support for the survey. Please sign our pledge.

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