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Patient choice comes into force
Patient choice comes into force
Date published: 03/01/2006
This week
heralds a "revolution" in the NHS, as patients are able to choose where they
obtain healthcare and treatment. As from January 1, NHS patients have been
offered the choice between four centres for treatment, a move hailed as
revolutionary by health minister Patricia Hewitt.
Ms Hewitt claimed the
policy gives patients new rights over their health and treatment, adding that
choice would only work if patients exercised this right. She said that patient
choice would allow patients to construct a tailor-made NHS service that best
suited their needs.
"Choice is now a reality in the NHS. Patients have
new rights over their own healthcare. These rights will allow patients to
choose services which best meet their individual needs and preferences," Ms
Hewitt said.
However, a MORI poll commissioned by the Department of
Health found mixed awareness of the changes. In total, eight in ten people are
largely unaware about the patient choice initiative. Of those surveyed, 41 per
cent knew nothing or little and 39 per cent knew "just a little". When made
aware of the changes, many patients were supportive of the idea of choice, even
if this meant faster treatment at the expense of convenience.
Almost
seven in ten people over 40-years-old would travel to beyond their local
hospital for treatment, while 11 per cent would travel across Europe if it
meant they could be treated quicker. The new reforms also give patients more
ways to book hospital treatment, with appointments made over the phone, via the
internet or using the new Choose and Book computer system.
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