NHS patients promised more choice

Patients on the NHS have today been promised more say in which hospitals and clinics they are treated in.

As part of the Department of Health’s Choose and Book scheme, those needing hospital treatment will now be provided with an increased number of hospitals they can be referred to by their GP.

Patients have been able to choose between at least four local institutions since new regulations came into force at the beginning of the year, but that list has now been extended nationally.

“Society is changing, and so are people’s lifestyles,” health minister Andy Burnham said.

“We commute more, live further from our families and work different hours. We want and expect convenient services that are tailored to the lives we live. We know that NHS staff want to provide services that meet people’s needs too, but until now have been hampered by a centrally-run health system that hasn’t always let them put their patient’s first.

“We want to see patients increasingly having the right to choose where to go if they need treatment or care – nobody should have to accept a ‘get what you’re given’ culture.”

Patients will now be able to choose to receive treatment at 32 NHS foundation trusts, which are seen as elite hospitals and have been given greater control over their affairs.

Mr Burnham also revealed that, over the next few months, independent sector treatment centres will also be included in this list of options available to patients.

The government also plans to let patients choose to be treated in any healthcare provider that meets the Healthcare Commission?s standards and falls within NHS financial limits by 2008, while women are set to be able to choose where to give birth and what pain relief to use by 2009.

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