ST HELENS and Whiston hospitals have been rated as providing the best cancer care in the country, according to a national survey.

Results from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2019, show that St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides the best overall care, out of all acute Trusts in the country, for patients living with cancer.

The survey is conducted each year and asks a range of questions about the care patients receive during their cancer journey, from first appointments, to treatment and their ongoing care. It comes as it has been revealed that the Trust is leading the way for cancer care during the current coronavirus pandemic.

Since the pandemic began, there has been a drop of more than 40 per cent nationally in the number of referrals for investigations into suspicious symptoms of cancer.

St Helens Star:

This worrying trend has led to doctors at the hospitals appealing for people not to ignore their symptoms.

The Trust has set up a surgical cancer hub in St Helens Hospital to treat patients in a ‘covid-free’ environment and launched a unique symptom advice line that allows people to speak directly to a specialist nurse who can discuss their symptoms and offer advice on the next steps to take.

“If investigations are needed, a referral can be made directly to the Trust’s specialist cancer teams and tests arranged.

John McCabe, Consultant Surgeon, said: “We want to hear from you if you are worried. It is vital that during the coronavirus pandemic we don’t ignore symptoms that may be a sign of something that needs urgent attention.

Cancer services are still going ahead at our hospitals and patients can be confident that despite the pandemic we continue to provide the best care.”

For more information, call 01744 646222.