Patient Information: The Challenge

The NHS Cancer Plan (2000) sets out the importance of cancer patients having access to high-quality, accurate information. Building on this, the Supportive and Palliative Care guidance, commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), highlighted that patients and carers cannot express preferences about care, make choices, or be involved in decision-making, unless they have access to appropriate and timely cancer information. Many patients report that they receive inadequate information from health and social care professionals. High-quality information materials should be available to patients where they can easily access them, whenever they are needed.

The Cancer Networks in England plan services in line with national guidance and oversee their implementation. NICE guidance recommends that Cancer Networks should nominate a lead for cancer information and should ensure that local policies about cancer information materials are developed, with National Cancer Information Pathways implemented locally.

The Cancer Reform Strategy 2007 vision for information included the development and adoption of National Cancer Information Pathways, making nationally agreed information available to front-line cancer health professionals, enabling them to offer it to their patients at Key points in the cancer journey.

National Cancer Information Pathways will ensure that accurate and comprehensive core information about cancer is accessible to all patients across England when needed. They will enhance the quality of care given to patients with cancer or suspected cancer by ensuring that all patients are offered a full and comprehensive catalogue of information.

Click on the menu items to the left of the screen to learn more about how NCAT 's Patient Experience Team is addressing this challenge.