A survey of over 2,700 patients, conducted for NHS England and the health regulator Monitor, has looked at the number of patients being offered a choice by their GPs.
More than half of the patients surveyed were aware of their legal right to choose a hospital or clinic for an outpatient appointment, and a similar proportion referred for an outpatient appointment first had a discussion with their GP about where to receive treatment.
However, fewer than two-fifths of patients said they were offered a choice of hospital by their GP when being referred for an outpatient appointment.
The survey also found that people from black and minority ethnic groups were more likely to have discussed choice with their GP although less likely to be aware of their legal right beforehand. People not currently working, including retired people, were more likely to be aware of their right to choose.
Most of those who were offered a choice felt that they had enough information to choose and were able to go to their preferred hospital or clinic.
Commenting on the survey results, Ian Dodge, NHS England’s national director for commissioning strategy said: “While patient choice of first outpatient appointment is a reality for some patients in England, the challenge now is to ensure that everyone enjoys their legal right, for example to choose hospitals or clinics with shorter waiting times, if that is what they want, in both mental health and physical health services.”
Catherine Davies, co-operation and competition director at Monitor said: “This survey gives us some helpful insight into how patients have experienced choice in England. Some of these results are encouraging, and suggest that many GPs are having helpful conversations with patients about decisions that affect their care. But it also suggests the NHS needs to do more to make sure patients are aware they have a choice and are offered that choice. We will continue in our efforts to make sure this happens, and to help patients feel involved and in control of their healthcare.”
