Please find below a summary of some of the findings from the Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2023.

Please note that comparisons to 2022 data (where available) are not included here but are available in other outputs such as the data tables and quantitative reports (see Technical Reports page here).

Downloadable versions of the visual summaries are available here

Overall

Overall stats - graphic of doctor sitting behind desk talking to a Dad and daughter
  • 82%

    of children said they were very well looked after by staff for their cancer or tumour.

  • 88%

    of parents or carers rated the overall experience of their child's care as 8 or more out of 10.

How the diagnosis was given

Graphic of Mother and son sitting at a desk with a doctor and the same child having a body scan
  • 71%

    of parents or carers reported that they were definitely told about their child’s cancer or tumour in a sensitive way.

  • 73%

    of parents, carers, and children reported that information at diagnosis was definitely given in a way they could understand.

  • 81%

    of parents, carers, and children reported that they were definitely able to have questions answered after being told about the cancer or tumour.

Communication with staff

Graphic showing doctor talking to child in a hospital bed and parent talking to a health professional
  • 78%

    of children felt that staff always talked to them, not just their parent or carer.

  • 73%

    of children reported that they could always understand what staff were saying.

  • 84%

    of parents or carers reported that they definitely had the chance to ask staff questions about their child's care and treatment.

Information about treatment

Graphic of Mum and daughter holding doll, looking at a computer screen with a health professional
  • 83%

    of parents or carers reported that they were offered clear information about their child's treatment.

  • 76%

    of parents or carers felt that healthcare staff always shared information with children in a way that was appropriate.

  • 71%

    of parents or carers felt that staff were always sensitive to information shared with them when their child was in the room.

Bedside manner and trust in staff

Graphic of child in a hospital bed with a nurse next to them holding a medical chart
  • 89%

    of parents or carers felt that they and their child were always treated with respect and dignity by staff.

  • 80%

    of parents or carers felt they always had confidence and trust in staff caring for their child.

  • 87%

    of children felt that staff were always friendly.

Continuity of care and how well different staff work together

Graphic of Doctors and Allied Health Professionals and a Mum and child in a wheelchair
  • 57%

    of parents, carers, and children reported not being told different things by different members of staff that left them feeling confused.

  • 62%

    of parents or carers felt that different hospital staff always worked well together.

  • 59%

    of children reported always or mostly seeing the same members of staff for their treatment and care.

Involvement of children and their parents or carers in treatment and care

Graphic of Mum and child visiting a doctor
  • 69%

    of parents, carers, and children felt they were definitely involved in their child's or their care and treatment.

  • 64%

    of parents, carers, and children felt they always knew what was happening with their child's or their care.

  • 76%

    of parents or carers felt that staff definitely offered them enough time to make decisions about their child's treatment.

Access to care and support

Graphic of Dad and Grandad standing next to a child in a hospital bed on one side and the other a Grandad sitting on a sofa next to a child
  • 87%

    of parents or carers reported that there was a main person in the team looking after their child that they could contact about their care or treatment.

  • 58%

    of parents or carers reported that they definitely had access to reliable help and support 7 days a week from the hospital.

  • 52%

    of parents or carers felt the hospital always offered play specialist support when they needed it.

Impact on day-to-day life

Graphic where on one side children are going to school and on the other a child is going to the hospital
  • 70%

    of parents or carers reported that their child had access to hospital school services during their stay in hospital.

  • 53%

    of parents or carers reported that their child's care and treatment was definitely offered at a time suitable for them and their family.

  • 66%

    of parents or carers reported that the hospital where their child received most of their care is about or under an hour's travel from their child's home.

Hospital ward facilities

Graphic of person pushing a refreshments trolley to child on a hospital ward
  • 38%

    of parents, carers, and children felt that there was definitely a suitable choice of hospital food.

  • 47%

    of parents, carers, and children felt that there were definitely enough things for their child to do in the hospital.

  • 25%

    of parents, carers, and children reported that it was always quiet enough for them to sleep in the hospital.