In this episode, Steve Bland is joined by Sarah Koya, Patient Experience and Engagement Lead, at the North East London Cancer Alliance, and patients Samina Hussain and Dawn Williams to discuss the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) — an important national initiative that gives people living with and beyond cancer the opportunity to share their views on the care they receive.

The survey, commissioned by NHS England and conducted annually, is sent to patients who have received cancer treatment as an inpatient or outpatient during a specific period (April, May & June). It asks about every stage of the cancer journey, from diagnosis, tests, and treatment, through to support after care, giving patients the chance to share what went well and what could be improved.

The feedback from tens of thousands of patients across England helps the NHS understand what matters most to those affected by cancer. It plays a vital role in shaping how services are designed and delivered, from improving communication between healthcare teams, to ensuring timely diagnosis, better emotional support, and equitable access to care.

However, in North East London, as in other parts of the country, some communities are underrepresented in the survey responses, particularly patients from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds. This means that their voices and experiences may not be fully reflected in how services are improved, which is why encouraging greater participation from all communities is so important.

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