The results of a new health survey acknowledges improvements at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) for cancer patients across the board.

Of the Arrowe Park, Wirral Women and Children’s and Clatterbridge Hospital patients who took part in The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2019, 90% rated the administration of their care as good or very good and 89% felt they were treated with respect and dignity while in hospital.

The independent annual survey is run by the Care Quality Commission of patients receiving cancer treatment at NHS hospitals and GP practices throughout England.

It reports on answers to a series of questions and also analyses the comments from those patients. A total of 337, (61% of WUTH cancer patients) responded to the survey, equalling the national response rate.

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive Officer at WUTH said: “The results of this survey are encouraging, with an above average overall score and improvements reported in many areas.

"I’m pleased to see that our doctors and nurses have been rated above the national average in really important aspects of care like trust and confidence from the patients they are caring for.

"Our staff have been giving their all during the pandemic, of course, but that does not diminish how we also care for patients with other illnesses like cancer where we have continued to treat patients throughout this challenging time’

“There are areas for improvement though such as explaining side effects or recruiting patients on to research trials- and we are never complacent. We will be looking at how we can improve these areas, and sustain the gains we have made this year, to give our patients an even better experience in the future.”

The survey reports positive feedback from patients for WUTH in ‘themes’ in relation to staff attitude, quality of care, professionalism and kindness.

WUTH patients’ average rating of care score for 2019 is 8.9 out of 10, an improvement on the score for 2018 and above the national average.

Improvements were noted throughout in those areas that were 3% or more below average the previous year.

The Trust scores this year were equal to or above the national average in four out of every five of the 50 questions related to their cancer treatment activities.

While overall, the report is positive, there are still areas where the Trust seeks to do better and is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of patient care.

Among those highlighted by the report, are how staff talk to patients about the side effects of their treatment and the provision of individual care plans.

WUTH says that while their scores are in line with others, they still want to improve for their patients.