Choose your hospital

If you or a loved one needs to see an NHS specialist, you can choose to access any hospital or treatment centre in England.

We know that making an informed decision, and the right choice for your individual needs, is important to you and your recovery, so we want to help as much as possible.

Below you will find answers to some of the questions you might be asking yourself…

Is my treatment still free, regardless of where I choose?

Your right to choice has nothing to do with cost; if you are an NHS patient who has been referred for treatment by your GP then you are not required to pay. Practice Plus Group hospitals are managed on behalf of the NHS, so you are free to select one of our hospitals as your service of choice.

What if I have an existing health condition?

Depending on what your health condition is we can provide selected treatments as long as your condition is well managed and stable upon admission to the hospital. This includes angina, asthma, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. We may be able to treat you if you have another condition that isn’t mentioned. Your GP will be able to assess you and confirm whether or not it’s safe for you to have your treatment with us.

Why do I have to choose?

You don’t have to make the decision alone, and can consult with your GP who will help, but choosing where to have your surgery can be an important element of your treatment and recovery.

Clinicians and researchers agree that if you choose a hospital in which you feel comfortable and confident, you are likely to improve both the result of your treatment and your experience while you’re in hospital.

What should I base my decision on?

There are various aspects that will affect your decision, some of which are very personal; only you will know exactly what matters most to you. Considering the simpler things like how easy it will be to get to your chosen hospital, whether they have free parking and what the facilities are like can be a good place to start.

It is also a good idea to check how long the wait is, as this can vary quite dramatically from hospital to hospital. None of us like to wait, and leaving it too long before having your treatment can be detrimental to your recovery.

Other things that you should investigate are clinical outcomes (including infection rates and after care support) and Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings, as well as feedback from previous patients on the NHS website.

Where do I find the information I need?

There is a wealth of material available to help you make your decision, particularly on the internet. Practice Plus Group hospitals can be viewed here.

On this website you’ll find links to our CQC inspection reports, details of waiting times and profiles of all our consultants. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, just contact us and ask!

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