Your Choices in the NHS - what it's all about

Free choice means that if you are referred to see a specialist by your GP you can now choose where are you are treated. You can choose an NHS hospital or a private one. If the care provider you choose is privately owned the health care services offered must meet NHS standards and be free at the point of delivery. You can be treated for anything from a knee injury to open-heart surgery.

Being able to choose means you can be treated closer to home or closer to family members and friends. Good parking may be a consideration for you or your visitors, also waiting lists, cleanliness or reputation. Whatever is important for you and your lifestyle, the choice is now yours.

Choose & Book

Choose & Book is another important change in the way the NHS operates. If you and your GP decide that you need to see a health care professional specialist you can choose your hospital or clinic and possibly book an appointment there and then. You will also be able to choose the date and time of your appointment. Choose & Book means you can plan your treatment around professional or family commitments, or around existing appointments if you are already undergoing treatment. You can also check the status of your referral and change or cancel your appointment over the phone or on the internet.

Your GP will tell you which hospitals or centres have health care services available that are suitable for your treatment and any clinical considerations you need to take into account. If you would like to do your own research you can take your referral letter with you and make your choice later.

For more information

For more information about our treatment centres please click here.

To browse our treatment centres and find the one closest to your chosen location, click here to visit our Care Finder.

For any other questions relating to treatment with Care UK please contact us.