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Choice
Guidance and plans to give patients more choice about where and when they receive elective surgery and other NHS services.
Patient choice survey
A series of national patient choice surveys monitors patient awareness of choice and recall of having been offered a choice of hospital for their first outpatient appointment.
About Choose and Book
By December 2005 all patients in England will be offered at least four providers for elective care.
How we are treated
People will be able to record their lifestyle preferences on electronic medical records. This will mainly happen through Healthspace.
Prescriptions
By December 2004 patients will be able to pick up repeat prescriptions from a pharmacy of their choice. By 2005 physiotherapists, radiographers, podiatrists, optometrists and pharmacists will have prescribing authority.
Primary care
People will be able to access primary care services in more flexible ways such as walk in centres at train stations or football stadiums. Primary care practices will be able to offer a wider range of services such as diagnostics.
Information to help patients choose
How patients and the public will be supported to make informed choices about their health and healthcare
Additional links
Related links
Communications materials
Information about the benefits this national service will bring.
The big picture
Poster explaining how and when NHS system reforms will enable patient choice. Contact NHS Information Authority on 08453 660 066 quoting reference 1748.
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