Patients rate cancer care at Guy's and St Thomas'

Friday 26 September 2014


Cancer-Centre---Oct2013

Ninety per cent of cancer patients at Guy’s and St Thomas’ rate their care as excellent or very good, according to the results of the national cancer patient experience survey published yesterday (Thursday 25 September) – this is higher than the national average.

The survey reports the views of thousands of cancer patients in all NHS trusts in England that provide treatment to patients with cancer.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is in the top 20% of NHS trusts for five areas of cancer care, including patients knowing the name of the specialist cancer nurse in charge of their care, providing patients with information about support groups, providing patients with information about cancer research, and having enough ward nurses on duty.

The Trust has made significant improvements in areas including communicating clearly with patients about aspects of their care including test results and the side-effects of treatment, patients having confidence and trust in our doctors and ward nurses, and patients being treated with dignity and respect.

Mairead Griffin, Deputy Chief Nurse for Cancer, says: “I am delighted that the vast majority of cancer patients who we treat are happy with the quality of care that our doctors, nurses and other staff provide.

“However, we recognise that we have a number of areas for improvement including always communicating a diagnosis sensitively to our patients and ensuring that our patients have the information and emotional support they need from us at each stage of their cancer journey.

“We also want to work together more closely with colleagues in community and social care so that our patients have the care and support they need after they leave hospital.”

Construction work is now well underway to build a new £160 million Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital which will bring together most cancer treatment under one roof when it opens in 2016 – services are currently provided from numerous locations at both Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals.

The new Cancer Centre will improve the continuity of care for patients.

Plans are also in place for a new Cancer Centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup, run by Guy’s and St Thomas’ staff, which will mean that patients living in outer south east London will be able to have radiotherapy and chemotherapy closer to home – this brand new facility is also due to open in 2016.

Last updated: March 2022

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