PRESS RELEASE: Engaging with people to gather their experiences of cancer services
Challenging times
The last few months have been challenging both locally and nationally for providers and commissioners of services and the press have identified the impact that the pandemic has had, particularly on cancer services.
National and local intelligence received prior to the pandemic gave impetus to this project and further reports during the pandemic have highlighted the importance of gathering views to inform local providers and Commissioners what it has really been like for patients.
Healthwatch Doncaster Engagement Team Manager, Jill Telford, said
“It is evident that services have been delivered in a very different way over the last few months and Healthwatch Doncaster want to hear the voices of local people to help shape future services.”
Detecting cancer early
In addition, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group have developed a number of programmes and projects in Doncaster to help detect cancer earlier and improve outcomes for patients.
Karen Leivers, Head of Strategy & Delivery for Planned Care and Cancer, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This is a really important piece of work to find out people’s thoughts, views and experiences of cancer care and treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic and I am pleased that we are taking these important steps to see what has worked, what hasn’t and what we need to do more of during these challenging times.
“We know from national and local intelligence that the Coronavirus pandemic has affected people in many different ways and with this in mind, it’s vital we do all we can to ensure people’s experiences of cancer diagnosis, treatment and care remains as effective and easy to access as possible.”
Best quality care for cancer
Stacey Nutt, Lead Cancer Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Throughout the past few months, we have had to deliver services very differently in order to meet the challenges of Covid-19 and minimise the risk to those in our care. As this virus will be with us for the foreseeable future, it’s important that we hear from local people and understand how we may be able to further develop and improve cancer services in the area, ensuring we deliver the best quality care.”
Your say
Healthwatch Doncaster would like to hear from anyone who has accessed cancer services over the last year, your input is important so that we can truly reflect what it has been like and influence future services.
“I’m looking forward to hearing people’s experiences about local services and learning from them is fundamental to ensure everyone in Doncaster receives the best care possible," said Alice Borsatti, Informatics Project Manager, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group
If you wish to speak about your cancer experience then contact the office on:
01302 965450
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Healthwatch Doncaster is a Community Interest Company as of 1st July 2016, to continue its work across Doncaster supporting the improvement of health and care services through engagement, involvement and influence.
This entails engagement work throughout the community and signposting people to the right service. More information: www.healthwatchdoncaster.org.uk
Press release contact:
Chief Operating Officer Andrew Goodall
01302 965454 or 07834 686855
Engagement Team Manager Jill Telford:
01302 965457 or 07834 686857
