The Department of Health has extended the deadline for submissions to its Cancer Patient survey to Friday, 16th September 2011. A total of 340 patients who have recently undergone cancer treatment have been targeted in the survey, and the response to date has been encouraging with a 55% uptake. In extending the deadline, the Department of Health hopes that more of the patients who have received the survey will take the opportunity to feedback on their cancer care and experiences. This valuable information will help to shape cancer services for the future and will also aid in the development of the Island’s first ever Cancer Strategy. Minister for Health, David Anderson said, “It’s a tremendously difficult time fighting cancer, so we very much appreciate that patients will have other more pressing priorities and concerns. Just a few minutes spent completing the survey though can provide us with real insight into the patient experience which we can use in our endeavours to continuously improve our services and standard of care.” Elizabeth McGowan, Cancer Services Improvement Nurse and the local coordinator for the survey said, “We want to get cancer care right for all of our patients. All feedback is welcome; therefore, I hope that all those cancer patients selected for this study inform us on what their experience has been. The Department of Health has never undertaken such an in-depth cancer patient survey. The results will enable us to explore cancer patient experiences and the Isle of Man Cancer Strategy Group will be able to refer to patients’ experiences and plan care based on this qualitative evidence. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have responded with their valuable contribution.” Quality Health, an organisation that has completed similar surveys across England, is administering the survey. It is anticipated, that an action plan with results of the survey will be available for publication in early 2012. Patients completing the survey with any queries can contact Elizabeth McGowan Cancer Services Improvement Nurse on 650723. - ENDS -