Choose and Book

[coccinelle]

If all NHS patients can 'choose and book' where they'll be referred to see a specialist and could therefore get booked into a private clinic or establishment, what is the point of patients paying private insurance?

[merciasounds]

I don't think it's random, you're given a 'window' I'm sure

[jackthehat]

Although it seems almost the same as 'going private', it isn't. Admittedly, the waiting times, etc seem a lot shorter than via NHS directly..........but you are still slotted in around the private work...

[coccinelle]

So really it's just the speed of any treatment which differs?

[China Doll]

You're only booked in to NHS patient slots, not private.

Personally I'm completely against it and think it's a nightmare.

[boxtops]

It's speed coccinelle - you can go direct to the consultant if you go private - for NHS you still have to go through the system before you get to the stage of Choosing and Booking (and sometimes the Choose options are miles away and could be well in the future).

[China Doll]

And lots of times GP's send you get an appointment in the wrong clinic...