Cancer Information and Support Services
We created a survey which asked questions about support wanted, and received, and collected demographic information. We aimed to correlate findings to determine what support is being provided and what is lacking. Our survey allowed us to establish what patients
with various types of cancers consider essential support and how well they feel this was delivered throughout their treatment. Acting on this research could address gaps in provision and support future initiatives to fill them.
The three aims of this project were to:
1.Understand the support needs of people undergoing cancer treatment and how they feel their needs have been met by service providers.
2. Describe the feelings of patients’ loved ones and how they were affected by the support provided, or lack thereof.
3.Produce recommendations for addressing the needs of patients diagnosed with cancer, and people close to them such as family, friends and caregivers.
Our report highlights the key findings and we have carefully analysed the 29 responses. Each participant shared their experience of being a cancer patient, or a partner, carer , or family member of a patient, searching for information and support with cancer.
All participants greatly value the support services they currently use, but would welcome more information on sources of emotional support, diet, and managing particular cancers, e.g. skin and prostate cancers.
We received a response from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (Bromley). These can both be found at the end of the full report. We are pleased to receive further information outlining actions, and/or improvements, and what they are currently doing to address issues identified. For example:
Recommendation:
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust should consider locating its proposed new Bromley cancer information centre in The Glades, Bromley Civic Centre, or in/near Beckenham Beacon. This was a clear view from our responses.
Response:
The new Bromley Cancer Information Service Hub will be established in The Glades Shopping Centre.
