Don’t Rely on GP Websites for Cancer Information…Speak to your GP

Our approach to the audit

The aim of the audit was to find out how up to date GP websites were and if there was easily accessible cancer advice available for patients, particularly at a time when there would be an increase in people accessing online information.

We found that the best websites had a Cancer heading on the front page that took patients to the ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ page, telling them what to do if they had a symptom they thought might be cancer and when to contact their doctor. However, some sites had very outdated information and in some cases the links to online cancer information didn’t work.

We have shared the findings with both East and North Herts Clinical Commissioning Group (ENHCCG) and Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) so that they can work with GP practices to improve their information.

Remember your local NHS remains open and is here to help. So don’t delay in getting the help and advice you need. If you are worried about possible cancer symptoms, there is no substitute for talking to your doctor.

Our Findings

We have shared the findings with both East and North Herts Clinical Commissioning Group (ENHCCG) and Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) so that they can work with GP practices to improve their information.

"The Healthwatch survey provides really valuable insight to help improve information for patients and Herts Valleys CCG will communicate the findings to all GP practices along with the Healthwatch recommendations. It is reassuring that most GP Websites in Hertfordshire held information for patients with cancer and COVID-19 but we clearly need to make sure that there is more consistency so that all patients receive the same quality and quantity of information.

We will be working alongside GP practices to improve information for patients – starting with developing a central resource on the CCG website using the Be Clear on Cancer information that all practice websites can link to and that can be managed centrally to ensure validity and consistency."

Shazia Butt, Head of Quality Assurance Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group