2024 Cancer Patient Experience Survey

The results of the 2024 Cancer Patient Experience Survey, co-commissioned by the Scottish Government and Macmillan Cancer Support in partnership with Public Health Scotland (PHS), show that cancer patients across Scotland are largely positive about their care.

Patients rated their overall experience of cancer care at 9.1 on a scale from 0 to 10, with 95% of respondents expressing a positive view of the care they received.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, said:

"I am pleased that the experience of cancer care in Scotland is so highly rated as positive. When we published our Cancer Strategy and the associated Cancer Action Plan in 2023, we set out our aim of improved cancer survival and the provision of excellent, equitably accessible care. The fact that 95% of people are positive about their overall experience indicates that we are progressing towards our aim, and towards our ambition of putting people with cancer at the heart of all decisions and actions involving them.

“We are committed to further improvements in cancer care, which is why we are continuing to invest in initiatives that support earlier and faster diagnosis and drive person-centred and holistic care. We will continue to work with Macmillan, other third sector partners, and Health Boards to determine any new actions required to further improve the experience of people diagnosed with cancer."

An ongoing partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and the Scottish Government on the roll out of the Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) model across Scotland, has also been put in place to help people access support for the wide range of non-clinical issues that can arise from a cancer diagnosis.

Gordon McLean, Macmillan Strategic Partnership Manager said: “These results testify to the compassion and quality of care being offered to people with cancer by hard working NHS staff, but they also highlight where improvements are needed. 

“Cancer can disrupt every part of a person’s life – from personal finances to people’s mental and emotional wellbeing - and everyone diagnosed with cancer in Scotland should be receiving care and support that is right for their personal needs. 

“More needs to be done to ensure people receive a written care plan to help manage both their clinical and wider needs. Far too many people did not receive financial information, even though cancer can cause huge financial anxiety, and impact by more than £1000 a month on average. Such gaps in meeting the wider needs of people with cancer must be addressed. 

“Much is already being done, but it is vital these results are now harnessed by everyone working to deliver cancer care in Scotland, so people can get the personalised information, care and support they need, at the time when they need it the most.”

2024 Cancer Patient Experience Survey -  https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836016786