NHS opens up to day-trip patients

Date article online: 01/04/2008

Rochdale patients who are referred to hospital by their GP will be able to go anywhere in England for treatment under sweeping changes to NHS care which came into force this week.

Patients will still be able to go to their local hospital, but from today they can opt to be treated in any hospital where their care is funded by the NHS in England.

Patients will also be able to choose the time and date of their appointments.

Patients will access a new NHS Choices website which compares services across the country to help them make their decision.

Research shows that patients would focus on factors such as the hospital’s success rate in dealing with their particular ailment, waiting times and low MRSA infection rates when choosing a hospital.

Local UNISON representative, Pete Hinchliffe said: “I think the new system will be exceptionally difficult to organise.”

Patients can visit the NHS choices website at: 

• www.nhs.uk