At the heart of Surrey and Sussex Cancer Alliance is the patient voice. We believe everyone should be treated with care and compassion and be an equal partner in their care.
Our ambition is to improve the health and wellbeing of our cancer patients, and our community as a whole, through developing improvements in cancer services designed in partnership with our patients, carers and communities. We need local people to share their experiences, challenge us, make recommendations and comment on our plans.
How to get involved
There are several ways patients and the public can become involved in the work of the cancer alliance:
- Join the SSCA Voluntary and Community Sector Forum
- Be part of SSCA Community Connections
- Share your story with us at training sessions, educational events or in videos that are shared through our communication channels.
You can also have your voice heard by taking part in two national surveys - the Cancer Patient Experience Survey and the Cancer Quality of Life Survey.
The SSCA Voluntary and Community Sector Forum
The SSCA Voluntary and Community Sector Forum brings together voluntary and community sector organisations, cancer patient support groups and the Cancer Alliance to consider issues related to cancer patients.
It meets regularly to allow organisations to provide meaningful feedback. This ensures the Cancer Alliance benefits from as wide a patient input as possible.
SSCA Community Connections
SSCA Community Connections is a database which includes voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSO), cancer patient support groups and other patient-focused organisations across Frimley, Surrey and Sussex.
The database covers all nine protected characteristics and is used where targeted input is required from specific community groups on SSCA projects.
Share your experience
Listening to a patient's own experience of cancer helps us to improve diagnosis, treatment and care. It also helps to encourage people to take part in life-saving work to diagnose cancer earlier, such as the Targeted Lung Health Check and the cancer screening programmes.
Read some patient stories here:
Ginnie Walker's story
Ginnie had smoked all her adult life until she was diagnosed with cancer after a lung health check in Crawley, Sussex. Following successful treatment, she says she will never smoke again. Read her story here: Ginnie Walker
Pete Barrett's story
Pete was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 70 but was told it was caught early. He now feels as "right as rain". He urges people to take up the lung health check if they are invited. Listen to his story here: Pete Barrett
Kim Kay's story
Kim has a genetic condition which puts her at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. She says knowing this has “put me ahead of the game when it comes to taking control of my health”. Listen to her story here: Kim Kay
The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey allows cancer patients to give feedback on the care they have received. This feedback is used to understand where care is working well and how NHS cancer services across England can be improved. Results from the survey are used by providers to improve the experience of cancer patients at a national, regional, and local level.
Find out more here: National Cancer Patient Experience Survey
The Cancer Quality of Life Survey is a national survey run by NHS England. People are invited to complete the survey around 18 months after cancer diagnosis. SSCA. To find out more here: Quality of Life Survey