More patients make hospital choice

The survey, carried out by NHS Rotherham, was sent to more than 1,300 patients who had recently been referred to hospital.

Around 60 per cent of the 500 patients who responded said that they recall being offered a choice of hospital for their first outpatient appointment – which is up from 47 per cent in March 2009. Sixty-eight per cent of patients said they were aware before they visited their GP that they had a choice of hospitals for their first appointment.

Just four per cent said they were unable to go to the hospital of their choice, and 85 per cent said they were satisfied with the length of time they had to wait from when their GP referred them to when they saw the hospital specialist.

Julie Wisken from the NHS Rotherham “Choice Team” said: “Everyone has a right to choose to be treated in a hospital of their choice. Some patients want to go to their local hospital, others choose based on waiting times and some by a particular consultant.

“In Rotherham, a high number of people are aware of their right to this choice but we want to everybody to be aware of it and to be able to discuss their options with their GP or healthcare professional.”