‘Give your doctor’s receptionist flowers and chocolates if you want the best cancer care’

Cancer patients who want the best treatment from the NHS should take flowers or chocolates to the doctor’s receptionist, a leading oncologist has claimed.

Prof Karol Sikora, the former chief of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) cancer programme, said it was important to “get the people at the bottom of the pyramid on your side”, rather than the consultants.

In a new book designed to help cancer patients navigate the system, Prof Sikora said it was important to “start with the receptionist” because they often have the most control over appointments.

“She can be a very powerful ally in your care,” he wrote. “She needs to be made to feel good somehow. Get to know their names, and always use them. And give her a small gift

“What will work perfectly for you is to give the receptionist a bunch of flowers, a bottle of wine, or a box of chocolates.

“Wait until the third or fourth appointment so you already know her a bit, and at that point make a small gesture to thank her for her help. Don’t be too generous. That will just embarrass everyone – a bottle rather than a case of wine is just right.

“Get the people at the bottom of the pyramid on your side and you will very quickly find that your whole experience is transformed – and your chances of living through this will be dramatically improved.”

His new book, Cancer: The Key to Getting the Best Care - Making the System Work For You, Prof Sikora advises a strategy of “polite persistence” which he claims is more crucial than even in an era of eye-watering waiting lists.

More than 7.3 million people are now on NHS waiting lists in England, up from 4.4 million before the pandemic.

NHS data show that nearly half of cancer patients are waiting too long to start treatment, with up to 7,000 patients a month not receiving their first treatment within 62 days following an urgent GP referral.

In April, Freedom of Information requests revealed that patients at some trusts have waited up to 671 days for a diagnosis or all clear, and 469 days for treatment.

'A little kindness goes a long way'

Prof Sikora told The Telegraph he had received criticism about some of his advice, with accusations that he was encouraging patients to game the system to jump the queues.

But he said after years of “protecting the NHS”, it was time for cancer patients to look out for themselves.

“I understand why the idea has been criticised, but if you have cancer then you need to put yourself first,” he said.

“Some see this book as an insult to the sacred cow of the NHS - I say it’s about putting cancer patients in the driving seat and giving them the tools they need to get the best outcome from a system which will not always automatically provide it.

“Bringing flowers for the receptionist for example is a great way to show your appreciation. A small sign to show the people in the system who may feel undervalued that they are valued.

“A little kindness goes a long way and can often have its own advantages for the patient too.

“The system is failing thousands of cancer patients. It’s a hard truth, but it’s a fact nonetheless.

“This book is all about equipping patients and their loved ones with the knowledge to navigate the NHS maze, a challenge altogether increased by lockdown delays.

“We spent years ‘protecting’ the NHS, now cancer patients should look out for themselves.”