Poor IT ‘puts GPs under pressure’ on choice

GPs are being prevented from adequately offering patients a choice of hospitals due to limited time available to them and a poorly functioning IT system in the NHS, it has been reported.

Under current regulations brought in through the Patient Choice reforms at the start of the year, patients can make a choice between four hospitals in their local vicinity as the location for any operation they are due to undergo.

The Patients Association has said that while GPs have the responsibility of informing patients of the choices of hospital available to them, many are hampered by limited time and the failings of the computer systems in the health service.

Michael Summers, a spokesperson for the association, said: “Patients have their part to play in getting hold of the information but GPs have a large part to play.

“They need to provide patients with the booklet and they need to ensure that they are giving the proper advice to patients about the opportunities for choice.”

In the Choice Matters document published earlier this year, minister of state for delivery and quality Andy Burnham described patient choice as a means of improving rates of satisfaction among patients who are “put in the driving seat” by the reforms.