Publish date: 26 October 2021
A video has been created for CMCA to increase public awareness of the Cancer Quality of Life Survey – which aims to improve services for cancer patients.
Healthwatch Warrington has produced the video, which gives an overview of the Cancer Quality of Life Survey, shows how people can complete it and promotes the survey’s telephone and textphone service.
Ellie Gunner-Taylor, CMCA Macmillan Quality Improvement Officer for Patient Experience and Health Inequalities, said: “Thanks so much to Healthwatch Warrington for creating this video. It is so important that as many people in Cheshire and Merseyside as possible complete their survey so that the information collected fully represents our cancer population.
“We know not everyone will be able to complete their survey by paper or via email, so increasing awareness of the telephone and textphone service is crucial to ensuring people are not excluded.”
If a person cannot fill the survey in for any reason, they can call the helpline for free: 0800 783 1775 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday). The questions can be asked over the phone, even in other languages, and the helpline staff can answer any questions the person might have. A textphone service is also available for people experiencing hearing loss: 0800 028 5695.
The Cancer Quality of Life Survey, which is being run by Public Health England, NHS England and NHS Improvement, will help the NHS understand the longer-term impact that cancer can have on people.
It was first piloted in 2020 within a random sample of breast, prostate and colorectal cancer patients but from this month, all patients diagnosed with cancer in England are being invited to complete the survey around 18 months after their diagnosis.
Ellie added: “The information the survey collects is really important as it will help to build a full picture of all the different ways people are experiencing life after a cancer diagnosis; and, will help to ensure relevant and appropriate services are provided.”
The video can be viewed here.
Further information, and resources to promote the Cancer Quality of Life Survey, can be found here.