One in five cancer patients at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust said they didn't receive adequate support from their GP practice during treatment, according to new NHS England figures.
The big picture: The data reveals gaps in primary care support for cancer patients, though overall care ratings remain high.
Key findings:
19% of 259 patients felt GP support during cancer care was insufficient
Overall care rating averaged 9 out of 10 from 452 respondents
79% of 207 patients had full confidence in their care team, up from 74% last year
Why it matters: Proper support throughout cancer treatment is crucial for patient wellbeing. The survey highlights areas for improvement in local healthcare.
Nationwide trends:
22% of patients across England reported inadequate GP support
National average care rating rose slightly to 8.9 out of 10
Disparities exist for transgender, black, and LGBTQ+ patients, who reported poorer experiences
What they're saying: Sarah Ruane, Macmillan Cancer Support: "It's unacceptable that some people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTQ+ community, or with an additional long-term health condition are significantly more likely to report poorer overall experiences of cancer care."
Naser Turabi, Cancer Research UK: "A dedicated long-term cancer strategy is desperately needed to bring cancer waiting times down in England."
An NHS spokesperson said: "It's encouraging to see that, on average, patients rated their overall experience of care 8.89 out of ten compared to 8.88 last year – and that more than three quarters of those surveyed said they received the right amount of support from hospital staff."
The bottom line: While local trust scores are generally positive, there's room for improvement in GP support and addressing disparities in care experiences.
