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You are in: Local Services > It's Your Choice
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Patient Choice 01423 876420 |
Local Services
It's Your Choice
Since
April 2008 patients referred by GPs for planned treatment can choose to
be seen in any hospital or clinic that can provide NHS
standard care, at NHS prices.
As well as choosing where you receive your treatment, you will also be able to choose an appointment date and time that is convenient for you.
This means that patients who may have previously had to wait for very long periods of time to be seen at their local hospital now have the option to receive their treatment elsewhere. If they prefer, they can find the hospital that has the shortest waiting list, or has the best results for treating their condition.
How do I choose?
There are a variety of factors that you may want
to take
into consideration when deciding on where to receive your treatment. You
may want to think about:
-
Which hospital or clinic is most convenient for you or your family?
-
What services and facilities does it provide?
-
How clean it is?
-
How does it measure up in terms of infection rates?
-
What did other patients think about it?
-
How long will have have to wait to be seen?
You can find this information out by visiting the NHS Choices website, which has detailed information about every hospital in the UK. This will help you to make a more informed decision about your healthcare. You can also speak to a local patient care adviser by calling 01423 876420.
Choose and Book
Choose and Book is the national electronic booking service which is available to all GPs. It enables GPs to see which hospital providers throughout England are offering clinically appropriate treatment for your condition. In most cases Choose and Book will even show available appointments.
Some GP surgeries will be happy to book the appointment for you before you leave the surgery.
If you would prefer to have more time to think about your appointment, or want to assess which treatment provider would be best for you, you can make your appointment at a later time, either by:
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using the Choose and Book website.
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calling the appointments line on 0345 60 88888. They are available every day from 7am - 10pm and will help you book, change or cancel your appointment.
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Calling the local Patient Choice office on 01423 876420 between 9.30am and 4.30pm Mon-Fri.
Will I always be able to choose?
Although the patient choice initiative aims to give everyone a chance to choose where and when they receive their treatment, there are some circumstances when this may not be possible.
For example, in an accident or emergency situation, you will normally need to go to the hospital which is closest, or can treat you most quickly. If your GP feels that you need to see a specialist urgently, you may also have to be referred to the hospital, clinic or centre that can see you most quickly.
It is important to remember that not all hospitals, clinics or other types of health centre offer every treatment. Although you may wish to visit your nearest treatment provider, it may not always be possible if that provider does not have the resources to deal with your condition.
Mental health and maternity services
People who require mental health or maternity
services will not be able to choose where and when they receive
treatment. In these cases, your GP will refer you to the most
appropriate centre for treatment.
If you feel that the place where you are receiving treatment is not right for you, you should speak to your GP because they may be able to look into alternative options. If you are not happy after seeing the specialist that you have been referred to, you could also consider getting a second opinion. See the 'related articles' section for more information about how to do this.
Your right to choose
Under the terms of the NHS Constitution, you have the right to make choices about your NHS care and to information to support these choices. Read more about your rights as patients by clicking the following link to the NHS Constitution.
What if I do not want to choose?
If you do not want to choose where, or when, you want to be referred, you do not have to. If you let your GP know that you would rather not choose, they will be able to decide on a treatment provider for you.
