Patient and carer achievements

Our patient and carer group – Patient and Carer Voice in Cancer (PCVC) – has been working hard to make sure that the patient and carer voice is head across all our cancer projects.

Here is just a small selection of some of the things they have been working on to support all residents and patients across north east London.

Achievements

Attending/providing feedback for multiple focus group events.

  • Fiona has been involved with the Barts Hospital Charity Grants Committee to support the funding request for a new Breast Cancer Centre.
     
  • Chris shared his wife’s story and spoke to a commissioner at the Tower Hamlets International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This has led to contact with other local organisations, including Healthwatch.
     
  • Natalie and Fiona and spoke to the public to encourage them to visit their GP during the National Cancer Bus tour.
     
  • Jane attended the City and Hackney Macmillan event ‘Implementing Personalised Cancer Care in City and Hackneys Out-of-Hospital Setting’
     
  • David attended the Macmillan and TCST event ‘Who Cares about Personalised Cancer Care’. 
     
  • Natalie shared her art work and support group materials for people affected by cancer and their mental health.

PCVC Meetings and Strategy

In 2022/2023, the PCVC group met in Stratford approximately every 4-6 weeks to discuss a broad range of topics. During this year, the group initiated a change of direction and began working on a strategic plan by identifying actions and priorities.

This included a spotlight on Holistic Needs Assessments and Cancer Care Reviews, reflecting their shared passion for Personalised Cancer Care. In 23/24, PCVC will be focusing on recruiting new members and community engagement.

Feedback and Project Input

The group has been invaluable in providing patient insight, ideas and challenges for a number of cancer alliance projects in north east London, including:

  • The City and Hackney Cancer Needs Assessment
  • Barts Lung Cancer Screening Project
  • NELCA Breast Cancer Screening for People with Serious Mental Illness
  • NELCA Older Peoples Project
  • NELCA and TCST Psychological Harm on the Cancer Pathway
  • NELCA Liver Surveillance leaflet
  • Targeted Lung Health Check programme
  • Early Diagnosis Centre recruitment materials
  • National Community Pharmacy Early Diagnosis project
  • Gathering BHR patient experience feedback.

Get involved

To find our more or if you have any questions, please email nelondonicb.pcvc@nhs.net or phone 07503 373 533 or go to the PCVC main webpage,

A group of patient and carer representatives are sat around a table having a meeting. On the table are laptops and notepaper.