Choose & Book your hospital appointment from Scarborough Hospital & Doctor
Patients & Public Information
FIND OUT THE DATE & TIME OF YOUR 1ST OUTPATIENT APPOINTMENT THE SAME DAY YOU SEE YOUR GP!!
Choose and Book is a new service that allows you to choose your hospital or clinic and book an appointment with a specialist. Since summer 2004, Choose and Book is being introduced across England. It will eventually be available to all patients. You will also be able to choose the date and time of your appointment.
Practices that are currently using the new system in this area are:
Danes Dyke, Prospect Road, Trafalgar Medical
Practice, Filey,
Lawrence House Medical Centre, West Ayton, South Cliff, Peasholm.
Derwent, Ampleforth, Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley, Terrington, Pickering and Sherburn.
Sandsend, Staithes, Egton, Danby, Sleights.
Practice 1 and Practice 3, Medical Centre, Bridlington.
This new system is being rolled out to other practices in the area over the next few months. To use Choose and Book you must:
- Have been referred by your GP for an appointment at a hospital or other specialist NHS service;
- Have been given a printed appointment slip and password by your GP practice.
FAQ's
Why is it being introduced? Research has shown that patients want to be more involved in making decisions and choosing their healthcare. Most of the patients who are offered a choice of hospital view the experience as positive and valuable. So, the NHS is changing to give you more choice and flexibility in how you are treated. Choose and Book is one of the first schemes that brings about this change, allowing you to choose the hospital where you will be seen by a specialist.
What happens if I can't decide on a date, time and hospital there and then?
If, for example, you need to check with your family, friends or work before booking your appointment, you can do it later over the phone. You and your GP will choose a number of appropriate hospitals. He or she will then print out an Appointment Request letter for you to take with you. This will have your appointment reference number, details of the chosen services and information about how to book your appointment.
Will Choose and Book make getting an appointment faster?
Yes. The current process is that your GP writes a letter and the hospital allocates a date. This can take several weeks and the date offered may or may not suit you. In some cases, Choose and Book will allow you to book your first hospital appointment immediately and electronically while you are still at the GP surgery, so that you can go home with a definite and convenient appointment in your hand.How does Choose and Book work?
When you and your GP agree that you need an appointment with a specialist, Choose and Book shows your GP which hospitals or clinics are available for your treatment. Your GP discusses with you the appropriate options which are available for treating your medical condition. If you know where and when you would like to be seen, you may be able to book your appointment before you leave the surgery.
You will be given confirmation of the place, date and time of your appointment. You may want more time to consider your choices. If so, you can take the appointment request letter away with you and book your appointment later.
What does Choose and Book mean for me?
Choose and Book will give you:- A choice of at least four healthcare providers
- A choice of date and time for your first out-patient appointment
- Plan and manage around your existing appointments, if you are currently undergoing treatment
- Fit your treatment in with your other commitments, at home and at work
- Choose appointments that fit with your carer's schedule
- Check the status of your referral and to change or cancel your appointments easily over the phone or on the internet.