WHEN it comes to improving patient care for those fighting cancer, Southampton has shot to the top of the league table.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust has been named as the most improved for treatment and care of cancer patients by Macmillan Cancer Support.

The league table compares the performance of hospitals across England and takes into account patient experiences, how well treatment options are explained and whether or not patients felt they were treated with respect.

The charity believes patient experience isvital andthat high standards of support should be as important as standards in medical treatment.

David Crosby, general manager for Macmillan Cancer Support in Central and South West England, said: “We congratulate University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust for being rated by its patients as one of themost improved trusts in the country and the work they have done to achieve this.

“We know that the support and care people receive is as important as their actual treatment, and canmake all the differencebetween coping with cancer and finding it a real struggle.

“For example, being told about financial help that is available, or being provided with high quality information about their cancer and its treatment.”