An audit on the care and treatment of patients with bowel cancer by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care on behalf of the Healthcare Commission has found that more hospitals are now meeting NICE guidelines on examination and treatment of bowel cancer.

An audit on the care and treatment of patients with bowel cancer by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care on behalf of the Healthcare Commission has found that more hospitals are now meeting National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on examination and treatment of bowel cancer.

The data, collected from a third of all UK hospitals from 18,539 patients' records, was published at the end of November. It also shows that postoperative mortality rates are consistently falling.

By providing a picture of care on a broad range of measures, it helps hospitals assess how good their services are for bowel cancer patients and bring about any necessary improvements.

For more details see www.icservices.nhs.uk/ncasp.