The latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey has found sustained improvements in how well services involve patients’ families and carers, with small gains in communication and information.

The survey, commissioned by NHS England and conducted by Picker, received more than 64,000 responses from people who had recently received cancer treatment. As well as showing positive experiences in many areas, it highlights opportunities to strengthen support beyond treatment, particularly access to emotional support in the community.

Involving families and carers

Last year’s survey showed improvements in how well NHS hospitals involve patients’ families and carers. These improvements have been sustained, with further gains in some areas: 

  • 83% said they were told they could have a family member, carer or friend with them when they were told their diagnosis, unchanged from 2024 and up from 70% during the Covid pandemic in 2021 
  • 85% said their family or carers were “definitely” involved in decisions about treatment options as much as they wanted, unchanged from 2024 and up from 75% in 2021 
  • Measures relating to support for families and carers continued to improve, with 72% saying those close to them could “definitely” talk to the care team at hospital when needed (71% in 2024; 61% in 2021), and 64% saying family members, or someone close, received the information needed to support care for the patient at home (63% in 2024; 55% in 2021) 

Communication and information

Several measures relating to communication and information improved slightly in 2025, although opportunities remain to strengthen patient understanding and support. 

  • 68% said that their referral for diagnosis was explained in a way they could “completely” understand, up from 67% in 2024 and 64% in 2021 
  • 84% said healthcare staff appeared to have all the information they needed about them at the time of diagnostic tests, up from 83% in 2024 (unchanged from 2021) 
  • 88% received easy to understand information about what they should or should not do after leaving hospital, up from 87% in 2024, though still below the 89% reported in 2021 
  • The proportion offered information about how to get financial help or benefits fell slightly to 71% (72% in 2024), although this remains above the 2021 figure of 70% 

Support after treatment 

While most patients reported positive experiences of hospital care, only 33% said they could “definitely” access enough emotional support at home from community or voluntary services after treatment, a slight decrease from 34% in 2024 and unchanged from 2021.

Commenting on the results, Jenny King, Picker’s Chief Research Officer, said: 

 

“The survey shows that many people continue to report positive experiences of cancer care, particularly around the involvement of their families and carers and the information they receive throughout their treatment.

It is encouraging to see sustained improvements in how those closest to patients are supported and involved in care. Families and carers often play a vital role in helping people navigate treatment, make decisions, and manage care at home.

At the same time, the findings highlight opportunities to improve support in other areas, including emotional support after treatment, which plays an important role in helping people adjust and maintain wellbeing during the transition from hospital.

With more than 64,000 responses, the survey provides one of the most comprehensive pictures of cancer patients’ experiences of NHS care in England. Understanding these experiences is essential to helping services identify where they are doing well and where further improvements can make the greatest difference to people with cancer and their families." 

 

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Notes to editors

  • For media enquiries, please contact Marketing and Communications team at [email protected], or phone: 01865 632 235.
  • The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2025 was conducted by Picker on behalf of NHS England.
  • Eligible participants included all adult patients (aged 16 and over) with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, who had been admitted to hospital as an inpatient for cancer related treatment or who were seen as a day case patient for cancer related treatment, and had been discharged between 1st April 2025 and 30th June 2025.
  • The survey was conducted between November 2025 and February 2026. 64,268 people responded to the survey, yielding a response rate of 48%.
  • Details about how the survey was administered, and full results are available at https://www.ncpes.co.uk/
  • Picker’s team of researchers and data scientists are available to support organisations in understanding, measuring, and using workforce and user experience. For queries about our services or to request a call, please contact [email protected]