Cancer patients rate hospital in national survey

The latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey shows that patients referred to Queen Victoria Hospital felt informed, supported and trusted all of the team involved in their cancer care.

Carried out by Picker on behalf of NHS England, the survey published this week (on Wednesday 6 July) monitors national progress on cancer care and provides information to drive quality improvements to support cancer patients.

Queen Victoria Hospital is the South East’s specialist surgical centre for skin cancer, head and neck cancer, and provides microvascular reconstruction services for breast cancer patients following, or in association with, mastectomy. It also has links with the operational delivery network for cancer and trauma care covering Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. During April-June 2021, the period covered by the survey, the hospital made a significant contribution to supporting people with cancer from across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, in its pandemic role as a specialist surgical cancer centre.

Breast cancer nurses at Queen Victoria Hospital played a part in helping patients feel informed, supported and trusted during their cancer care.

The results of the national survey showed that the hospital scored above the national average in many areas with:

• 83% of patients saying they were definitely involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment
• 96% saying they were always treated with dignity and respect while they were in hospital
• 85% of patients saying they definitely got the right level of support for their overall health and wellbeing from hospital staff
• 96% of patients commenting they have confidence and trust in all of the team looking after them during their stay in hospital
• 96% saying they were always able to get help from ward staff when needed.

Patients and their families also benefit from the dedicated team at the Macmillan information and support centre on site in East Grinstead.

Nicky Reeves, Chief Nurse at Queen Victoria Hospital, said: “We strive to always support our patients and provide them with the best possible treatment and care. The results of the latest cancer patient experience survey are a testament to the professionalism, commitment and compassion of our staff, particularly during the pandemic and the challenges that brought. We always want to do better for our patients and the results will help us look for ways we can improve for the future.”

In addition to excellent patient care, Queen Victoria Hospital continues to deliver strong clinical outcomes for patients. The breast reconstruction unit at Queen Victoria Hospital is one of Europe’s largest providers of autologous breast reconstruction (using the patient’s own tissue). Survival rates for people treated at the hospital for major head and neck cancers are above the national benchmark. The hospital also has an excellent record of complete removal of malignant melanomas and skin cancers; a complete excision rate of 97.8% which is well above the 75% set out in the national guidance.

You can find a link to the full results here.

For more information please email the QVH Press Office at qvh.communications@nhs.net