Changes to the way Patient Choice works with updates to NHS App

By Patrick Parkin

25 May 2023 1 min read

The NHS announced improvements to the NHS App this morning to help patients understand their options for treatment.

This is a very sensible and positive step to improve how Patient Choice can work for the NHS and all providers across the sector and cut waiting times by improving the NHS App to show where treatment can be provided free at the point of use after a GP referral.

Amongst all of the mind-boggling ways that tech can improve healthcare, this is such a simple step...

Patients have been entitled for years to ask (and to be referred) to a hospital of their choice (NHS or independent) but this will help that mechanism work - saving time for GPs, helping patients to understand their options, and improving the use of the available capacity to reduce backlogs.

https://lnkd.in/eKmtXb4W

#nhs #healthcare #healthtech

An awareness campaign to help the public understand their rights to choose is good news. We know many patients want to be given a choice as it can dramatically reduce their wait for NHS care. But too often patients are unclear that they have the right to choose a healthcare provider to deliver their NHS care - whether an NHS organisation or an independent sector one - free at the point of use. Indepedent Healthcare Provider's Network)

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-choice-to-help-cut-hospital-waiting-times