Choice feels empowering
The NHS wants to help you get treated more quickly and conveniently
When it comes to health – whether your own, or that of a loved one – no one is better able to make the right decisions than you. It can feel like illness or injury take the choice out of your hands, but in fact there is a simple way to have more of a say over where and when you get a specialist appointment. Patient Choice is an NHS initiative that allows you to discuss with your GP the options available to you and empowers you to make decisions.
What is Patient Choice?
Did you know that, in England, in most instances you have a legal right to choose which hospital you go to when you are referred to see a specialist? In a nutshell, Patient Choice is the ability to ask for exactly that. If your GP suggests a referral to a specialist, you can choose where to go based on what’s important to you. This can be an NHS or independent health provider (as long as they provide NHS services), at no cost to you. As part of Patient Choice, your GP practice should be able to share some options of where to go based on what’s important to you, like shorter waiting times or a location that’s easier to get to. And while you can make your choice during your GP appointment, you don’t have to decide then and there. Choosing where to receive care can be a big decision and one you may want to talk over with a trusted friend or loved one. If so, ask that your list of options is made available to you. You can then select your preferred option later, on the NHS App or online, or by calling the national referral helpline. Your GP or healthcare professional can also help you make your decision.
Get seen quicker
‘You have a right to choose where you go for routine referrals’
If your GP has suggested seeing a specialist, it’s in everyone’s interest to wait as short a time as possible. And that’s one of the major benefits of Patient Choice: knowing the waiting times for appointments at different hospitals is one valid reason you might opt for one over another. Other reasons for making your choice might include geography and transport options – for example, it might be easier to reach somewhere further away with better public transport links if you don’t drive, or you may want to receive treatment nearer to family or friends, so you can stay with them during your treatment or recovery. You can look up waiting times and distance on the My Planned Care website (myplannedcare.nhs.uk), where you’ll be able to search by region and speciality.
Who is Patient Choice for?
Most people can benefit from this ability, with a few exclusions such as those needing emergency care or those in the armed forces (for more details visit nhs.uk/ patientchoice). As long as it’s a routine referral, you’ll likely have a right to choose where you get referred, with common conditions that may be referred including knee replacements, hip replacements, hernia and gallstones.
Whether it’s you or a loved one who is being referred to a specialist, you have a right to choose where you go, as well as the time needed to do so. Nothing is more important than your health, and during a potentially worrying time, having some choice over your appointments can help give you back some control.
■ For more information visit nhs.uk/patientchoice