Patients Rate Cancer Care Across SWAG 9 out of 10 in National Survey

Published: July 2025 

Patients across the Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire (SWAG) Cancer Alliance have rated their cancer care 9 out of 10, according to the latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES). This strong result reflects the dedication of staff across the region and SWAG’s ongoing commitment to improving cancer care for everyone. 

What patients told us 

The NCPES, conducted annually by Picker on behalf of NHS England, captures the voices of cancer patients across the country. This year, over 3,400 patients from the SWAG region took part in the survey, sharing their experiences of cancer care received between April and June 2024 – a 56% response rate compared to the 50% national average. 

The SWAG region covers patients who experience care from six NHS Trusts:

• North Bristol NHS Trust
• University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
• Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
• Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Patients reported high levels of satisfaction in key areas, with SWAG scoring above the national expected range in several important aspects of care: 

• 72% said their referral for diagnosis was clearly explained 

• 80% felt their cancer diagnosis was clearly communicated 

• 86% said their family or carers were involved in treatment decisions 

• 95% received information on available support 

• 78% were offered guidance on financial help or benefits 

• 85% felt the waiting time for treatment was appropriate 

These results show that patients are receiving clear communication, compassionate care, and timely support throughout their treatment journey. These achievements are not just statistical wins, they represent real improvements in the lives of people navigating cancer. 

In a national landscape where NHS Trusts are facing many challenges, we were proud to see that SWAG had no scores below the expected range. This means that across all 61 patient experience questions, cancer care across SWAG met or exceeded expectations based on the population and demographics. 

Where can we do better? 

While the Alliance had no scores below the national expected range, several areas scored lower relative to other questions or showed room for enhancement based on patient feedback: 

• Only 56% of patients felt they received enough care and support at home from community or voluntary services. 

• Just 37% felt they could get enough emotional support at home after treatment. 

• Only 51% felt they received the right amount of support from their GP practice during treatment.  

• Just 22% reported having a cancer care review by their GP. 

• Only 59% felt they could discuss options for managing long-term side effects. 

• Only 44% said cancer research opportunities were discussed with them. 

These findings suggest that while clinical care and communication during treatment are strong post-treatment support, primary care involvement, and emotional wellbeing are areas where patients feel less supported.  

Dr Helen Winter, Clinical Lead for the SWAG Cancer Alliance, commented: 

“These results reflect the voices of our patients – our most important guide to how we are delivering care – and inspire us to keep pushing for more equitable, compassionate care. We recognise there’s more to do, particularly around emotional support, equitable access to research and innovation and post-treatment care.  We are committed to working closely with GPs, hospitals, and the voluntary sector across SWAG to improve outcomes for all and support our dedicated workforce in delivering excellence for our patients.” 

What’s next? 

The SWAG Cancer Alliance will use these insights as well as the national 10 Year NHS Health Plan, and the expected 10 Year Cancer Plan later this Autumn to shape improvement plans, with a renewed emphasis on personalised care, digital access to support, and stronger links between hospital and community services. 

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff across SWAG who deliver cancer care with dedication and compassion every day. 

And a sincere thank you to every patient who took the time to share their experiences, your feedback is invaluable and helps us shape better care for the future. 

You can view the full CPES 2024 results for the SWAG Cancer Alliance here.