Website of the Department of Health
Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.
Page menu
Letters and circulars
- Advance letters
- CMO update
- Dear colleague letters
- Estates alerts
- Firecode
- Health service circulars
- Local authority circulars
- Local authority social services letters
- Professional letters
- Other series
- Chief Inspector letters
- Executive letters
- Family health services letters
- Family practitioner notices
- Finance directorate letters
- Health circulars
- Health service guidelines
- Miscellaneous letters
- Pension letters
You are here:
Introduction of Free Choice policy
-
Document type:Dear colleague letter
-
Author:Department of Health
-
Published date:20 March 2008
-
Gateway reference:9666
-
Pages:2
-
Copyright holder:Crown
From April 2008 the full roll out of Free Choice policy means that the majority of patients being referred to secondary care will be able to choose where they wish to be treated.
The attached letters from Bob Ricketts to:
- Chief Executives of NHS Elective Care providers;
- Chief Executives of Primary Care Trusts; and
- All GPs
make reference to the guidance and support as outlined in 'The Week' (20 March 2008) clarifying the implications of the roll out and highlight the public awareness campaign that will run in local newspapers and radio stations to inform the public about their rights to choose.
- Download Letter to Providers of NHS Elective Care Publication of the Code of Practice for the Promotion of NHS-funded services (PDF, 63K)
- Download Letter to PCT Chief Executives Publication of the Code of Practice for the Promotion of NHS-funded services (PDF, 64K)
- Download Letter to GPs Free Choice Policy Letter (PDF, 64K)
Additional links
Travelling?
Ordering publications
Contact details for obtaining hard-copy DH publications.
Help viewing PDFs
Useful tips to ensure you get the most from PDFs and the free Reader program. Topics covered include accessibility, troubleshooting and searching files.
Additional Links
Access keys
