RCN praises staff for improvements in cancer care

Published: 17 August 2012

Embargoed until: 00:01, Friday 17 August 2012

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today welcomed the results of the second national cancer patient experience survey, published by the Department of Health. The survey found that 88 per cent of patients rated their care as excellent or very good, with 98 Trusts improving on the results of the previous survey.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the RCN said:
“Nurses and doctors have worked very hard alongside other health professionals to deliver these improvements. We are pleased that this survey recognises the important contribution that specialist nurses make to patients with cancer. These nurses provide vital care as well as saving the NHS money in the long-term. Every patient with cancer who needs it should have guaranteed access to one-to-one specialist nursing care. Patients know, as we do, that specialist nurses provide a lifeline in helping them to understand conditions and treatments, as well as in preventing complications and admissions to hospital.

“Patients with cancer need not just cutting-edge treatment, but clear communication, empathy and dignity, as do their relatives. Nurses are clearly making progress in this area even under immense pressure. The health service needs to pull together to ensure that those who do not always get the very best care, such as people with rare cancers, can get support which matches the best.”

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Notes to Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses, healthcare assistants and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.