Cancer patients at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have rated their overall experience of care as nine out of 10. The score marks the fifth consecutive year the trust has achieved this level of patient approval.
The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2025, conducted by Picker on behalf of NHS England, drew responses from 1,518 patients out of 2,954 invited at the trust, a response rate of 51 per cent. This compared with a national rate of 48 per cent from 64,268 respondents. The trust's overall experience score of 9.0 sat within the expected range of 8.8 to 9.1 and slightly above the national average of 8.9.
Thirteen questions scored above the expected range. These covered patients finding advice and support from their main contact person and care team helpful, feeling involved in decisions about their care and treatment, receiving clear understandable information about treatment and recovery, and being offered appropriate support information and guidance throughout their cancer journey. No scores fell below the expected range. Results showed no significant change from the 2024 survey.
We would like to thank all the patients who took the time to complete this survey, and it is encouraging to see that they continue to report positive experiences of cancer care at OUH. These results reflect the compassion, professionalism and commitment shown by colleagues across our cancer services every day. We will use the feedback from patients to build on what is working well and identify where further improvements can be made.
Alex Poole, lead cancer nurse at Oxford University Hospitals, spoke directly to the human reality behind the numbers. His words capture the steady dedication visible in repeated high ratings.
The trust's clinical leadership echoed that assessment. PG Roy, clinical director for cancer at Oxford University Hospitals, said the results testified to excellent and compassionate care at a time when patients and their carers face profound difficulty.
I am so pleased to see the results, which are a testimony to the excellent and compassionate care at OUH. We are committed to ensuring good experiences for patients and their carers at what are very difficult times in their lives.
Chief operating officer Felicity Taylor-Drewe welcomed the feedback while noting persistent pressures. She highlighted the value of patient voices in shaping services and acknowledged the need to improve access times.
