Government launches patient choice programme

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the unveiling of its patient choice programme that aims to make patient choice available to all communities in the UK.

Included in the programme are a number of initiatives, such as a new NHS Choices website, a number of library pilots and the facilitating of free patient choice for any hospital nationwide for those in need of hip-replacement or other orthopaedic treatment.

These changes will attempt to benefit the most disadvantaged communities in the UK and enable them to make informed choices regarding their healthcare. The NHS Choices website is due to go live this summer.

Patricia Hewitt, health secretary, said: “Patient choice is about people being in control.

“Patients needing a hospital appointment should have the right to pick and choose their time, date and place.”

She added that this expansion of choice requires investment in NHS facilities, with prudent use of the internet and public libraries a suitable method to disseminate information to patients, carers and their families.

Earlier this month, the DoH announced that the NHS will provide mothers-to-be with a comprehensive range of birthing choices, including home births with a preferred midwife, under the newly launched Maternity Matters strategy.