Choices When Referred to a Specialist

When you have decided with your GP that you are to be referred to see a specialist, you can usually choose which hospital you would like to go to. The following are resources that may help you to understand about choice in the NHS, and may help you to to make your choice.

 About Patient Choice

From the NHS Choices website. Includes information for the public about how to make your choice. Also, answers to many frequently asked questions such as What is choice? What isn’t included in choice? Is choice offered for all medical conditions? Why should I choose which hospital treats me? What if I don’t want to choose? etc.

 Choice matters: Increasing choice improves patients' experiences (PDF document)

Document from the Department of Health. Patients, GPs and practice managers talk about their experiences of choice and Choose and Book. Published May 2006.

 Department of Health - patient choice section of their website

Giving patients more choice about how, when and where they receive treatment is one cornerstone of the Government's health strategy. Another is giving members of the public a bigger hand in shaping local care systems. This area of their website contains policy documents and guidance about how these goals are being achieved.

 Healthcare Commission

Part of the work of the Healthcare Commission is to award annual performance ratings for NHS trusts. On their website you can see how NHS trusts compare against each other in the areas that they are measured in. Recent additions to their site have been information about heart surgery survival rates in different heart units, and information about cosmetic surgery.

 Choose and Book

Website that gives details of the Choose and Book service. When you and your GP agree that you need to see a specialist, you will be able to choose from at least four hospitals or clinics. You will also be able to choose the date and time of your appointment.

 18 weeks (Delivering the 18 week patient pathway)

Includes information to help the NHS plan and implement the changes needed to deliver an 18-week patient pathway from GP referral to the start of treatment by the end of 2008.

 HealthSpace

Allows people to record and save their personal health information, and to securely access the Choose and Book application to book or change their first outpatient appointment.

 Patient Opinion

An independent service that tells you what other people are saying about your local health services and lets you share your story with others.

 BBC health story on patient choice (and related links)

Reporting on the governments implementation of Patient Choice, differing opinions as to its value, and reflecting some criticism about it.

 Dr Foster Guides

This website provides information on a range of health services in your area, including details about waiting lists and the doctors that might be treating you. It includes:

• Hospital guide: search their database of NHS and private hospitals to find essential information on hospital specialties, facilities and waiting times.
• Consultant guide: search their database of consultants to find the doctors that could treat you, their specialties and where they are based.
• Birth guide: search their database of 260 birth units to help you find the maternity care best suited to your individual needs.
• Breast Cancer Care: Search their database for a breast clinic or for a breast screening unit.
• CAM Guide: This directory aims to help you find a complementary practitioner who meets all of your needs.

 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

The HFEA Directory of Clinics provides patients with information about treatments for infertility and questions to ask clinics.

 Diabetes guide

Compiled by Diabetes UK. The information gathered helps to enable you to see local results and compare with other areas and national averages.

See also our Find me a doctor, therapist ... etc page and also our Patient Advocacy page which lists organisations such as the Patients Association, websites dealing with complaints procedures, etc.