It’s your choice
Did you know you can:
· choose your hospital?
· book your hospital appointment with help from your GP surgery?
· choose the hospital with the shortest wait?
In the past, if you were referred to hospital you were told where to go and when. Now, if your GP decides you need a non-urgent outpatient appointment, you’ll be able to have a choice from a list of 4 or 5 hospitals and pick a date and time that suits you. This is what patient choice is all about – letting you make decisions about your own healthcare.
Before you choose a hospital it’s worth thinking about what’s important to you. You may want to go to the hospital that can see you soonest or the one you feel is the best in the area.
Your shortlist of hospitals will depend on the type of specialist you need to see. Full details can be found in a leaflet – ‘Choosing your hospital’ – available in GP surgeries, clinics, pharmacies, libraries and opticians or you can phone the patient choice advisor on 01702 226668 for a copy.
The surgery should also have computer access to a system called ‘Choose and Book’ allowing you to book your appointment there and then, if you want.
There is much more information on choice and Choose and Book available on South East Essex PCT’s website: www.see-pct.nhs.uk or, alternatively, you can log onto one of the following national websites:
January 2007