Published on 28 July 2026
Patients in Cheshire and Merseyside have rated their cancer care among the best in England, according to the latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey.
The recently published NHS survey invited more than 143,000 people across England to share their experiences of cancer care, from referral and diagnosis through to treatment, discharge and ongoing support.
The results show Cheshire and Merseyside achieved the second highest overall patient experience score of any cancer alliance area in England, with patients rating their care at 9.05 out of 10, compared with the national average of 8.92.
Two NHS trusts in the region were also among the top three in the country for overall cancer care. Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust received the second highest overall rating of all trusts, at 9.26 out of 10, while The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust was third with 9.24 out of 10.
The findings for 2025 reflect the strength of cancer services across Cheshire and Merseyside, with patients reporting positive experiences at every stage of their care. Compared with the national average, patients in the region were more likely to say their referral was explained in a way they could fully understand, that they had access to additional professional advice when making treatment decisions, and that they had confidence and trust in the team caring for them during a hospital stay.
People also reported stronger experiences after treatment, including being more likely to receive a cancer care review from their GP practice and being able to access emotional support at home from community or voluntary services.
The sub-region’s excellent overall rating is especially significant because the survey reflects patients’ experiences across the whole cancer pathway, including GP care, diagnostic services, hospital treatment and aftercare.
Clatterbridge was also the highest rated specialist cancer centre in England and scored particularly highly for hospital care, with 97% of patients saying staff always did everything they could to help control pain, 96% saying they were always treated with respect and dignity while in hospital, and 95% saying they received easily understandable information about what they should or should not do after leaving hospital.
Jon Hayes, Managing Director of Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, said: “These results demonstrate the impact of collaborative working across Cheshire and Merseyside and the collective commitment to improving patient experience at every stage of care.
“While there is always more to do, the findings provide reassurance that patients continue to receive compassionate, high-quality care and support throughout their cancer journey.
“It was also great to see two of our NHS trusts in the top three nationally for overall care of cancer patients, further showing the strength of cancer services across our region.”
The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey helps NHS organisations understand what is working well and where further improvements can be made. Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance and its partners will use the findings to continue improving services and ensuring patient experience remains at the heart of cancer care across the region.
The full survey results are available at https://www.ncpes.co.uk/latest-results-national-cancer-patient-survey/