The government has advertised extensively that patients have choice about where they have their hospital treatment. We applaud the desire to provide the best possible service for the convenience of patients. In our experience, patients mainly want to be treated in hospitals that are local to their homes, as soon as is practicable, and within a caring and high quality health environment.
Once the doctor has indicated that a referral is appropriate, he/she will inform the patient that a choice of hospitals or clinics is available. At that point, the patient can decide where they would like to go for treatment.
Patients should call the booking centre to make an appointment convenient to them. Alternatively a booking can be made over the internet.
The system is designed to give patients flexibility about when and where they are treated.
Click on the link below to read more.
Shared Care Agreements
You may prefer to be referred to a private provider (or in some cases be eligible for an NHS referral to a private provider). If this is the case, please be aware that there is no automatic shared care arrangement in place for follow up, prescribing, etc.