Right By You! Evidence in existing experience and engagement literature

Wessex Voices (Healthwatch Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton) reviewed existing public, patient and carer engagement and experience intelligence from local and national sources. This was used to answer some initial questions posed by the Wessex Cancer Alliance Right by You! Steering Group to inform their approach to further engagement around local cancer support services. 

Overall, people are happy with the care and treatment they receive whilst in hospital, with much praise in general for staff and carers. 

However, recommendations for improvement focus on:

• Good communication and signposting to relevant, holistic information at the right time in the right way are the two key issues that come up throughout people's cancer journey. The level of support people need during their recovery various enormously, as does the length of time that support needs to be in place. 
• People want clear, easy to understand personalised care plans covering the whole pathway. 
• Many people feel their emotional needs are not being met and end of life care needs to be tailored to meet the needs of individuals and their circumstances. 
• Seldom heard groups experience disadvantage in their access to and experience of cancer services and therefore need specific consideration in the design and evaluation of services.