Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve data reporting on the (a) outcomes and (b) experiences of young people with cancer.

The Department is taking steps, along with other organisations, to better understand data on outcomes and experiences of young people with cancer.

On the data reporting of outcomes, the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS) collects, quality assures and analyses data on all people living in England who are diagnosed with cancer, including young people.

This data is used to measure diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer. The data held by NCRAS supports service provision and commissioning in the National Health Service, clinical audits, and public health and epidemiological research, all of which contribute to improved outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer.

The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, commissioned by NHS England, aims to understand the experiences of cancer care across England, for all patients aged 16 years old or over. This has surveyed patients annually since 2010.

In addition, the Under 16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey, commissioned by NHS England, is now in its second year and aims to gather feedback from children and young people and their parents/carers on the cancer care and treatment received.

These surveys provide valuable findings, helping the NHS to understand what is good about children, young people’s and adults’ cancer care, and identifying areas for improvements.