Dudley's hospital trust's cancer care most improved in UK

A survey was carried out by NHS England asking people for their views about their experiences while being treated in hospital.

They were asked questions including whether their diagnosis and treatment options were explained clearly to them, whether they felt supported in their care and whether they felt they were treated with respect.

A league table of the top ten most improved hospital trusts has now been published by Macmillan Cancer Support.

The survey was based on patient experience, not medical care.

The charity says it believes patient experience is as vital as treatment to a cancer patient's quality of life.

In Dudley, cancer treatment is provided at Russells Hall Hospital and also in the community at patients' homes in the borough.

Among the improvements introduced by bosses is Saturday appointments for patients.

Paula Clark, chief executive of Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are delighted we have been named as the most improved trust in England for cancer patient experience by Macmillan Cancer Support.

"We always strive to offer our patients the best possible experience whilst in our care, and this fantastic achievement is testament to the hard work of our specialist cancer teams over the past year.

"Our teams have been working hard with Macmillan over the past few years to make improvements to patient experience and it is rewarding to see this work recognised.

"As the demand for cancer treatment increases year on year, it is wonderful to know we are getting it right for our patients, especially at what must be an incredibly difficult time for patients and their families."

Dr Lucy Martin, from Dudley Clinical Commission Group, said: "I am delighted to hear this news. In my work in Dudley, I see first-hand that the support, information and care people with cancer receive is as important as their medical and surgical treatment.

"This care makes all the difference to patients and can mean they and their families find it easier to cope with such a life-changing diagnosis."

David Crosby, general manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Central and South West England, said: "We congratulate the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust for coming in as the most improved trust in the country and on the work they have done to achieve this.

"We know that the support and care people receive is as important as their actual treatment, and can make all the difference between coping with cancer and finding it a real struggle."