Patients have rated Royal Papworth Hospital’s cancer care as among the best in the country, according to the 2021 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey.
The hospital scored on average 9.2 out of 10 for ‘overall care’, against a national average of 8.9.
That was one of 59 questions asked in the survey, which forms part of the national NHS Cancer Programme and places patient experience on a par with clinical effectiveness and safety.
In addition to the overall care provided, patients also scored the hospital highly for research, diagnostics, being involved in decisions about care, sensitive conversations and discussing worries and fears.
There were no scores which were rated below the national average.
The thoracic oncology team at Royal Papworth treats people for lung cancer and mesothelioma.
| Question asked | RPH score (%) | National average (%) |
| Patient was definitely told about their diagnosis in an appropriate place | 96 | 84 |
| Patient was definitely involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about treatment | 95 | 79 |
| Patient felt the length of time waiting at clinic and day unit for cancer treatment was about right | 95 | 79 |
| Diagnostic test staff appeared to have all the information they needed about the patients | 95 | 84 |
| Patient was always able to discuss worries and fears with hospital staff while being treated as an outpatient or day case | 94 | 78 |
| Cancer diagnosis explained in a way the patient could understand | 92 | 76 |
| Research opportunities were discussed with the patient | 72 | 44 |
Professor Robert Rintoul, Lead Clinician for Cancer at Royal Papworth Hospital, said: “We are delighted with these results which show that the overwhelming majority of our patients are pleased with the care that they receive in our hospital, all the way through from diagnostic scans and procedures to treatment and follow-up appointments.
“We have sustained these high scores for a number of years now and this is a reflection of everyone’s hard work and expertise in the lung cancer multidisciplinary team, who collaborate together to give the very best care and treatment to our patients.”
The lung cancer team comprises consultants, specialist nurses, radiographers, researchers, admin staff and many more.
Lavinia Magee, Thoracic Oncology Nurse Consultant, added: “From nurses to doctors and radiographers to physiotherapists, these results are only possible because of the multiple disciplines that all come together to care for our patients.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis and subsequently undergoing treatment can be a frightening and anxious time. Thank you to everyone who contributes to caring for our lung cancer patients every day to make their experience in a very difficult time as positive as possible.”
Read the full Royal Papworth Hospital NCPES report