Plans by the Government to give NHS patients the right to choose where they receive treatment from a ‘shortlist’ of local hospitals have been welcomed locally.
The new ‘Elective Care Plan’ will give residents the option of using NHS hospitals in their area, or a provider in “the independent sector paid for by the NHS”.
The Executive Director of Bath Clinic in Combe Down, Kogie Naidoo, has described the development as “a game-changer for NHS patients”.
Previously, whilst the NHS Constitution committed to offering patients choice over their care, many GPs automatically referred patients to the nearest NHS hospital.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has committed to offering patients a choice of five hospitals at the point of referral.
He said: “Then they can decide what the most important factors are: do they want to go a bit further away and be seen a bit faster, or would they like to wait because it’s local and more convenient, or would they like to go to the hospital with the best reputation for treating their condition.”
Kogie Naidoo said: “This step will give hope to so many families who are worried about long waits when they need vital treatment.
“Very often there are NHS appointments going spare at local private hospitals, and patients don’t realise or aren’t told they have the right to see the waiting times and results data at all local hospitals, and then to make an informed choice about where to have their operation.
“Bath Clinic has an outstanding reputation locally for patient experience and clinical results, with a team of the county’s leading consultants practising here, and we stand ready to assist in giving NHS patients in Somerset as many options as possible.”
