Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert has welcomed a survey showing 9 out of 10 cancer patients in Wales think the care they receive is either very good or excellent.
The first ever Welsh cancer patient experience survey was published this week and reported the views of more than 7,000 cancer patients in Wales.
The survey showed very positive experience of aspects of care:
Regarding dignity; 85 per cent said they were always treated with respect and dignity by staff, 87 per cent had confidence and trust in the doctors and nurses caring for them and 94 per cent said they had enough privacy when being treated.
In the coordination of care; 88 per cent of people were given the name of a Clinical Nurse Specialist who would be in charge of their care.
92 per cent of patients said their clinical nurse specialist definitely listened carefully to them.
92 per cent got understandable answers to important questions all or most of the time from their Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Jeff Cuthbert AM said:
“It is pleasing to see the overwhelming majority of cancer patients in Wales are pleased with the care they receive.
“As someone who was diagnosed with cancer nearly 25 years ago, and who has recovered to lead a full and active life since, I am only too aware of how important it is that patients receive a standard of treatment and care that is not only the highest available but is also consistent.
“Despite these encouraging responses, it’s important we do not stand still and continually strive for improvement for all our patients. There are some new ideas that have come out of this survey that are certainly worth exploring and I hope it will prove to be a valuable sounding board for years to come.”
