 Sometimes, when you're referred to hospital, you have a choice of where you go for your treatment. There are many reasons you might wish to be seen somewhere other than your local provider. Another clinic may have better public transport links from your home or the parking might be easier. You may have relatives or friends living in another part of the country you'd like to be near so that they can help look after you. Or you may have heard good things about a particular hospital or know there are shorter waiting lists elsewhere. Whatever the reason, it's your right to be given a choice of different places where you can be treated, whether it's to see a consultant or other health professional or to have an operation. However, while it's been a legal requirement for several years, many people don't know about it. So the next time you are told you are being referred for a first hospital appointment, it's worth remembering that you should get a choice of where you go. Remember: It's your right to be given a choice of different places where you can be treated (Picutre: Getty Images) And you are free to make a choice based on what's most important to you – proximity, waiting times or any other reason you see fit. Because choosing where you are treated doesn't just make for a better experience for you as a patient, it can also help ease pressure on parts of the NHS. That's because it allows you to be seen in a hospital with shorter waiting lists, spreading the load on the health service more equally. HOW IT WORKS You can choose where you would like to receive your first outpatient appointment when you are referred for treatment by a healthcare professional such as a GP, nurse or physiotherapist. Either they or someone else from the practice, such as one of the admin team, should look up the hospitals that offer suitable services for someone w){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Sometimes, when you’re referred to hospital, you have a choice of where you go for your treatment.
There are many reasons you might wish to be seen somewhere other than your local provider.
Another clinic may have better public transport links from your home or the parking might be easier. You may have relatives or friends living in another part of the country you’d like to be near so that they can help look after you. Or you may have heard good things about a particular hospital or know there are shorter waiting lists elsewhere.
Whatever the reason, it’s your right to be given a choice of different places where you can be treated, whether it’s to see a consultant or other health professional or to have an operation. However, while it’s been a legal requirement for several years, many people don’t know about it.