Press releases
Hospital booking service in the spotlight
(30 October, 2009)
A new film is being shown in GP surgeries across County Durham and Darlington to tell patients about the Choose and Book service.
The three-minute film, made at locations in the area, shows how patients referred by their GP for specialist treatment, can book an appointment on the spot at a hospital or clinic of their choice.
Using the Choose and Book service in surgeries throughout England, GPs can advise patients on the options available and then make an appointment for them at their chosen hospital at a convenient time and date.
Or the patient can make the appointment themselves later using the internet or by telephone.
The film tells the story of three fictional patients –a student who is injured on the rugby field, an elderly man who attends the surgery with his daughter and a person with learning difficulties who gets special help from the GP.
It has been welcomed by local GPs, including Dr David Russell from Orchard Court in Darlington who said: “Patients are sometimes surprised when we tell them about Choose and Book.
“It means we can offer patients an appointment at the hospital of their choice so that they can leave the surgery with it booked at a time and on a day that suits them.
“Or, if they prefer, patients can make the appointment in the comfort of their own home later, or change it using the internet or phone.
“Patients are not waiting for an appointment to come through the post at a time that, in all probability, might not be ideal for them. This leads to a big reduction in the number of wasted appointments when patients fail to turn up.
“And Choose and Book enables GPs to know who is seeing the patient and that it will be within the right timeframe. It’s an excellent system”
Robert Peacock, Choose and Book Programme Lead for NHS County Durham said: “It’s quick and simple for patients to choose and book when referred for specialist treatment by their GP.
“We welcome feedback from people about their experience as this allows us to continually improve the system.
“And we want to make sure as many people as possible are aware of the service and how their GP can help them use it.
“This short film, using real life situations which people can watch while they are waiting for their appointment, is a good way of getting the message across.”
The film, produced by Live Channel, was filmed at the new Primary Care Centre in Stanley, and at Durham University sports fields and also includes shots of Durham Cathedral and other local landmarks.
More information about Choose and Book is available at www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk.
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