Cancer patients in north Cumbria have praised the services of staff in a recent national survey, highlighting clear communication, strong teamwork and high‑quality support throughout their cancer journey.
Patients said they received easy to understand information, felt involved in treatment decisions, and received good care and support while in hospital. Many also reported having a helpful main point of contact and said that diagnostic tests and results were explained clearly and sensitively.
The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2025, led by NHS England, shows that cancer teams at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) continue to perform strongly, with several areas rated above the expected range nationally, including:
- Almost 9 out of 10 (89%) of patients said treatment options were explained in a way they could completely understand — above the national expected range.
- Almost everybody (95%) felt the whole care team worked well together
- Almost everybody (93%) said they had a clear main point of contact, and (98%) found their advice helpful.
- Almost everybody (95%) said they were always given enough privacy when receiving diagnostic test results.
Overall, patients rated NCIC 9.1 out of 10, which is higher than the national average (8.9).
Kiyla Murray, Lead Cancer Nurse, said:
“These results are a real testament to the dedication of our staff. Patients are telling us that they feel listened to, supported and clearly informed at every stage of their care. That’s exactly the experience we want every person to have. Patients are getting the information they need, they feel involved in decisions, and they know who to turn to for support.”
Vanessa Connor, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, said “We’ve been on a significant improvement journey, and that’s reflected here but also in the fact that patients are being seen and treated much more quickly.
“The survey also shows that patients felt well supported during hospital stays, with strong scores for discussing worries, controlling pain, and receiving clear information when leaving hospital.”
In May, NCIC was the 5th most improved Trust for percent of patients told their diagnosis within 28 days. Faster diagnosis is the key to faster treatment and better outcomes for our patients.
Vanessa added: “We’ve made great progress with the cancer care our patients in Cumbria receive. We’re proud of this progress, however we know some of our patients have waited too long and there is still more to do. These results, alongside our latest performance data give us confidence that we’re moving in the right direction.”
The Cancer Patient Experience Survey is designed to monitor progress on cancer care, drive local improvements, support commissioners and providers, and inform charities and patient groups.
Full report can be found on the NHS England website