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Waiting Booking Choice
Reforms to cut waiting times and replace waiting lists by booked appointments systems. The reforms support the drive to give patients choice about when and where they are treated.
Choice at six months: good practice
Published: 20/05/2005
Choice at 6 months was introduced on a phased basis from April 2004, with full implementation from August 2004. The main objectives of the policy are to help achieve the 6-month maximum inpatient wait and, in the meantime, to provide the opportunity of faster treatment for the longest waiters. The policy is also designed to help prepare for choice of 4-5 providers at the point of GP referral.
Achieving shorter waits
The PPF promises shorter waiting times across the service
Increased capacity
Reducing waits, along with implementing booking and offering choice, all depend on developing more capacity within the NHS.
Service redesign
It will be important for NHS organisations to strike a balance between the need for new capacity and ways of making better use of existing capacity. In many cases this will mean service redesign and modernising job roles.
Booked appointments are key to improving patient convenience
The NHS Plan set targets to replace waiting lists for hospital appointments and admissions with booking systems. Booking is included in the targets set out in Improvement, Expansion and Reform: the next 3 years, Priorities and Planning Framework 2003 - 2006 (PPF). Booking will give all patients a choice of a convenient appointment/admission date within a guaranteed maximum waiting time. Booked appointments are key to improving patient convenience. They are also the driver of wider service improvements to NHS services, for example, through service redesign and supporting implementation of National Service Frameworks
Choice for patients
People increasingly expect to have choices and to play an active role in key decisions in their lives.
Case studies
There is a wealth of innovation and good practice taking place in NHS organisations around the country around Waiting, booking and choice reform.
Toolkits
Practical support for those who are working to reduce waits, improve access to services and introduce booking and choice locally
Resources and links
Links to relevant publications and other organisations involved in cutting waiting times and enhancing patient choice.
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