Joint Chief Medical Officer, Anjula Mehta, reflects on a story from national radio that, statistically, was heard by more than 5 million people in the UK…

Earlier this week, a story was shared with me from BBC Radio 5 live that has really stayed with me.

BBC Radio 5 Live were featuring coverage ahead of World Cancer Day. A local Plymouth resident, Bernadette, had called to talk about the care her husband received right here at Derriford. He had been supported by our HPB service for over two years, and although he sadly passed away, she spoke with such warmth about the care they both received. She had nominated Claire Westlake, our Oncology Nurse Specialist, for a “Big C Star” award (in reference to the Big C podcast from the BBC), describing the support, guidance and compassion Claire gave them as “beyond amazing.” Claire was also interviewed live on air, and spoke wonderfully about the service she works in, and compassionate in her reflection of Bernadette and Martin during his care.

What struck me most wasn’t just that they received excellent clinical care, it was how they were cared for. She spoke about how Claire helped them navigate the system, advocated for her husband, explained what was happening, and was a constant presence throughout an incredibly difficult journey. She described this as a huge relief for both of them,  knowing there was someone who truly understood their pathway and stood alongside them.

That is the difference one person, and one team, can make to a family.

It’s also a powerful reminder that while we often talk about performance, pathways and waiting times, behind every number is a real person. Cancer care brings this into particularly sharp focus. There is someone waiting for a diagnosis, a family living with uncertainty, a patient hoping treatment can start as soon as possible.

Cancer affects so many of us, directly or indirectly. Around one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and for many of us working in healthcare, that’s not just statistics. It’s colleagues who are living with cancer, family members we’ve supported, friends we’ve lost, and patients whose stories stay with us long after our shifts end. Behind these journeys are a whole team, consultants, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists, admin colleagues and many others.

Over recent weeks and months I’ve been visiting services across the Trust. What I’ve seen is extraordinary commitment , people going the extra mile to keep treatments running, ensure medicines are available safely, support patients through long days, and quietly hold pathways together under real pressure. Our real target should always be what matters to patients – timely access, clear communication, coordinated care, and confidence that they are receiving high-quality treatment.

I also know how challenging things feel right now. Demand is high, services are stretched, and many of you are carrying heavy workloads while continuing to show kindness, professionalism and care for patients and families every day. That effort truly matters.

Claire, Bernadette and Martin’s story shows that quality doesn’t live in reports or meetings. It lives in moments like the nation heard on Radio 5 Live, in the careful prescription check, the timely scan, the reassuring conversation, and in the nurse who navigates, advocates and walks alongside a patient and their family.