Stevenson Welcomes Survey to Improve Cancer Care

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, has welcomed the first ever national cancer patient experience survey that has been launched by the Scottish Government and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The survey has been sent out to all patients who had a confirmed cancer diagnosis between July 2013 and March 2014 and asks patients how they felt regarding the way they were told about their diagnosis, whether they understood the information provided about their treatment, and whether they had confidence and trust in the staff treating them.

The results of the survey will be publically reported at national and health board level in summer 2016, and they will help to shape the future direction of cancer care in Scotland.
Mr Stevenson said:

“I believe that this is an excellent idea funded by both the Scottish Government and Macmillan Cancer Support - looking at the future of cancer care in Scotland by asking the people that have already experienced what is on offer. The results of this survey will be very interesting and can only go towards creating a more informed service than what we currently have.”

Janice Preston, General Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, said:

“Macmillan is delighted that the Scottish Government has launched a cancer patient experience survey in Scotland.

“It is the first time such a comprehensive survey of cancer patients’ experiences of care has been conducted in Scotland and Macmillan is delighted to be a partner in this hugely significant initiative. It is vitally important to measure survival rates and cancer waiting times targets, but it is equally important to find out what patients really think about the quality of the care they receive.

“We hope local health boards take the survey’s results into consideration to inform planning for future cancer services to make sure these services meet people’s clinical and non-clinical needs and that they are truly person-centred. Cancer treatment goes beyond surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We need people-centred care, not just symptom-focussed treatment.”