What is Patient choice?
Patient Choice is a government initiative introduced to give NHS
patients more choice about where ,when and what time they are
treated. NHS patients in England who require hospital treatment can
now choose any participating hospital in the country that can meet
their needs. One of your options could be a Ramsay Health Care
hospital or treatment centre.
Waiting times
The current NHS waiting time for an initial outpatient
appointment is 13 weeks maximum. Following your outpatient
consultation with the specialist, you may require surgery or
further investigations. For patients who need a procedure the
maximum wait is six months from the date your specialist confirms
the procedure required.
Guidelines
The Primary Care Trust (PCT), who funds your NHS treatment, sets
guidelines for waiting times within these maximums.
If you wish to have your Consultation, procedure or treatment
sooner, you may wish to consider continuing your treatment as a
private patient rather than remaining as an NHS patient.
This gives you an option to have your appointment or treatment
at a date and time which is convenient to you and fits in with your
family and work commitments.
Private Medical Insurance
You will not be subject to a waiting list as the Consultant
Specialists have clinic space readily available for their private
patients. Some people pay for private medical insurance themselves,
receive it as part of their employee benefit package or are a
member of their partner's scheme. You may want to check with your
employer or partner to see if you are covered.
Self Pay
Alternatively if you are not insured, but would still like to
become a private patient you can pay directly for treatment
yourself.