Young cancer patients and families continue to report positive care, but communication and access to information have declined
The latest results from the 2025 Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey show that children and families continue to report positive experiences of NHS cancer care overall. However, results also point to a decline in several important aspects of care, including communication, information sharing, involvement in decisions, and support after treatment.
Conducted by Picker on behalf of NHS England, the survey gathered feedback from 751 children and parents of children who received cancer or tumour care in England between January and December 2025. The findings provide valuable insight into how children and families experience cancer services and identify opportunities for further improvement.
Overall care remains positive
Most parents and carers continued to rate their child's care highly, although overall satisfaction has fallen slightly compared with 2024. Almost nine in ten (88%) parents and carers rated their child's care 8 out of 10 or higher, compared with 91% in 2024.
Children also reported positive experiences, with 78% saying healthcare staff looked after them very well, unchanged from the previous year.
Most parents and carers felt their child was treated with respect and dignity (89%), while four in five (80%) said they always had confidence and trust in staff. However, both measures have declined slightly since 2024.
Communication and information present growing challenges
Several key measures relating to communication and information have worsened since 2024.
While most parents and carers (86%) said they definitely had opportunities to ask questions about their child's care and treatment, this represents a small decline from 89% in 2024.
Other areas of concern include:
- 69% said staff were always sensitive when discussing information in front of their child, down from 77% in 2024.
- 76% felt healthcare staff always shared information with children in an age-appropriate way, down from 80% in 2024.
- Less than half (49%) said it was very easy to contact the main person responsible for their child's care, compared with 56% in 2024.
These findings highlight the importance of clear, sensitive communication and ensuring children and families can access information and support when they need it.
Psychological support and support after treatment remain areas for improvement
The survey also identified opportunities to strengthen support at key stages of the cancer journey.
Although 71% of parents felt their child's diagnosis was communicated sensitively, 44% reported that their child did not receive the mental health or psychological support they needed at the point of diagnosis.
Similarly, only 57% of parents and carers felt they definitely received enough ongoing support from the hospital after treatment ended, down from 63% in 2024.
Involvement in care decisions has also declined, with 66% of children, parents and carers saying they were definitely involved in decisions about care and treatment, compared with 69% in 2024.
Turning patient experience into improvement
The findings underline the importance of listening to children and families and ensuring their experiences shape improvements in cancer care.
As the recently published National Cancer Plan commits to standardising psychosocial support for children and young people with cancer, these results provide important evidence about where further attention is needed, particularly around communication, psychological support and ongoing care after treatment.
Commenting on the results, Amy Tallett, Picker's Head of Research, said:
"The Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey gives children and families a voice in how cancer care is experienced. While many reported positive experiences, these results show signs of a concerning downward trend in overall satisfaction, while communication and access to information have also worsened.
"In particular, there is clear room for improvement in psychological support at diagnosis and ongoing support once treatment ends.
"Staff must communicate sensitively, share age-appropriate information and involve children and families in decisions. This is particularly relevant as the recently published National Cancer Plan commits to standardising psychosocial care for children and young people with cancer, from diagnosis through to long-term follow-up. It is important that the ambitions of the National Cancer Plan become reality."
For full survey results and methodology, visit the Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey website.