Listening to the views of young people
A diagnosis of childhood cancer understandably has a devastating impact on the emotional health and wellbeing of the child and their family, both during and after treatment. Children and young people’s treatment and experience of cancer differs greatly from adults, and we recognise the need for a personalised approach to their cancer care.
It’s so important for us to listen and learn from children and young people in order to provide them with the best possible care and experience throughout treatment and to reduce the impact it has on them later in life.
About the survey
The Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey informs how the NHS delivers cancer services with the aim to radically improve the outcomes for children and young people affected by cancer. The NHS really wants to hear from children and young people, and their families, about their experiences so that we can continue to improve the care and services the NHS delivers.
The survey has been running since 2020 and the results provide national-level insight into the experiences of children with cancer, results are used to assess performance both locally and nationally, to help identify priority areas for enhancing children’s cancer services.
The aim is to radically improve the outcomes for children and young people affected by cancer. The third wave of the survey is being implemented across England from April 2023. Children under 16 who received NHS cancer care during 2022 and their parents or carers will be invited to participate. They will be able to complete a paper questionnaire or an online version of the survey on any device. If you receive an invitation in the post, please complete the survey. Surveys will be posted to patients on 13 April and the deadline to return completed surveys will be 30 June.
By contributing to the survey, young people and their parents or carers will help the NHS to continue to improve its services and better support children and young people living with and beyond cancer.
