THE Trust that runs Broomfield Hospital is one of the 20 most improved in the country for providing a positive experience for cancer patients, according to a survey.

The Cancer Patient Experience Survey, undertaken by Quality Health, asked patients who have used cancer services to rate their experience.

Following a �1.5 million investment in improving cancer services during the past 12 months, the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust’s lead director for cancer services, Mark Angus, believes this will result in an even better experience for patients in the future.

“The Trust has made significant investment in our cancer care - in 2011 we developed a cancer services management board which has developed a robust action plan that is driving improvements through for cancer patients.

“We know there is still room for further improvement but I am confident [it can be done].

Among the many initiatives introduced in the past year are:

• New service with consultant review of patients within 24 hours of admission;

• Investment in a seven-day nurse-led palliative care service;

• A daily patient flagging system, which allows clinical teams to be informed of patients who are admitted to the hospital, who have a cancer diagnosis or who have had chemotherapy in the previous 6 weeks

• An electronic information prescription project. Electronic prescribing for chemotherapy is a key IOG requirement for the delivery of chemotherapy for patients. The Trust approved a business case in May for the purchase of an e-prescribing system, which is hoped to start fully implementing by spring next year.