Listening to and learning from patients : A review of the results from the 2023 national radiotherapy patient experience survey in England

Hutton, D and Bates, M and Lowery, K and Booker, P and McKie, L and Wong, H and Stewart, H and White, H P (2026) Listening to and learning from patients : A review of the results from the 2023 national radiotherapy patient experience survey in England. Radiography (London, England : 1995), 32 (2). p. 103305. ISSN 1532-2831

Abstract

Emphasised through the radiotherapy service specification alongside a range of policies, there is a need to ensure the patient voice is listened to and heard. Ensuring patients are 'cared about' throughout their radiotherapy treatment is essential. Reviewing the expectations of patients and capturing their experiences of radiotherapy, enables improvement to our radiotherapy services. An online survey including open and closed questions about patient experience was distributed to adult external beam radiotherapy patients (EBRT), attending radiotherapy within 10 Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Networks in England. Patients completing radiotherapy treatment 4th - 29th September 2023 were eligible to participate. A 30.6 % response rate was gained (calculated from RTDS data). Over 2500 responses were received, with 2486 suitable for analysis. Respondents stated 'complete understanding' of knowledge of late effects of radiotherapy was 58.6 %, with early effects at 73.7 %. Most patients (93.8 %) were happy or very happy with information received prior to EBRT starting. The vast majority (95 %) stated they were treated with dignity and respect, with a few describing examples where this had not been the case. The majority of patients responding to this survey indicated they experienced high quality care:'… the staff, from top to bottom, are quite exceptional. They represent the very best of the NHS and I am truly grateful.' From a service improvement perspective, also highlighted was the need to review delivery and content of information given both pre- and post-radiotherapy treatment. The need for a biennial National Radiotherapy Patient Experience Survey is required. This needs to be available in a range of alternative formats to ensure all voices can be heard.