Cancer services in Colchester: a study of patient and carer experience
Download (PDF 524.96 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Essex carried out this study to provide evidence of patient and carer ‘lived experience’ of cancer care and treatment in Colchester. This was in response to a report by the Care Quality Commission in November 2013 which identified a number of serious problems with cancer services at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. They spoke to 216 people.
Key themes
Patients’ and carers’ needs, values and preferences are important
People needed clear good quality information, personalised to the individual
Although around two thirds of people reported that they were satisfied overall with the quality of care given, some of these, and others who were not satisfied overall, reported experiences of poor care and a neglect of basic needs.
People experienced poor administrative issues, such as cancellation of appointments, needing to chase up test results and short appointment times.
Patients and carers felt their views and concerns were not always being listened to.