For Patients

Choose and Book is a new service that allows you to choose your hospital or clinic and book an appointment with a specialist. Since summer 2004, Choose and Book has been introduced across England. It will eventually be available to all patients. Since 1 January 2006, when you and your GP agree that you need to see a specialist, you can choose from at least four hospitals or clinics. You can also choose the date and time of your appointment.

Choose & Book gives patients:

• a choice of four or five hospitals
• a choice of date and time for your first outpatient appointment

What used to happen?

Before Choose & Book, if your GP decided that you needed to see a specialist, he or she wrote a letter to the hospital and the hospital allocated a date and time. It was often several weeks before you received this appointment and the date offered may not have suited you.

What happens now under Choose & Book?

With Choose & Book your GP will discuss with you the reasons for your referral and will offer a choice of hospitals that meet your needs. At first, Choose & Book will only apply to the first hospital appointment of this new referral.

Once you have decided where you want to go, you can then select a date and time that suits you. You can either do this immediately with your GP, or one of the GP practice team, before you leave your doctor's surgery.

However, if you are unable to make a decision there and then – for example, if you need to check with your family, friends, or work first - you can book your appointment later over the phone by ringing 0845 6088 888 or on the internet at https://www.healthspace.nhs.uk/ using a unique reference number.

Before leaving your practice you will be given an appointment slip to take away with you. This will have your appointment details. It will also give you a reference number for your appointment, the telephone number of the booking service, and the internet address if you wish to book your appointment this way.

Your GP will then send an electronic referral letter to your chosen hospital. Your referral information will be sent too, but this will be safe and secure and will only be seen by those directly involved in delivering your care.