Half of Brits have no idea they can choose where to have NHS operation

Half of Brits have no idea you can choose which hospital you can have an NHS operation in, according to research. 

A poll, of 2,000 adults, revealed 47 per cent have never heard of 'patient choice' and assumed you're just put on a waiting list and then have no option but to wait however long it takes, when it comes to going under the knife.

A quarter (24 per cent) also had no idea they could be seen in a private hospital as an NHS patient- for example for operations with long waiting lists such as hip and knee replacements. 

One in five assumed to get such treatment, you'd have to pay extra. 

Of those that were aware you could choose, more found out through friends and family and by reading about it in the news than from their GP or consultant. 

The research, commissioned by Practice Plus Group hospitals, which provide both NHS and private surgery, follows the publication of the government's elective care recovery plan. 

The plan commits to raising awareness of NHS patient choice and ensuring it is delivered for patients to help reduce waiting lists, including updates to its app, making it clearer that independent providers can be used for their treatment.

Jim Easton, CEO from the brand, said: "It's fantastic news for patients that the government is committed to ensuring more people exercise their right to choose. 

"This research shows there's a lot of work to be done. 

"We also need to see more GPs empowering their patients to make choices about their healthcare, and more long term partnerships between the NHS and private hospitals." 

The good news is that 69 per cent of those polled agree the government utilising private hospitals as a measure to drive down waiting lists is a good plan. 

This rises to 79 per cent of people aged 65 and over, who have been particularly affected by long waits for the most common elective operations such as joint replacements, cataract removal and general surgery such as hernias. 

When respondents were asked their top considerations when choosing where to have a procedure, nearly half (43 per cent) said the waiting time was the biggest factor. 

Convenience was key for many with four in 10 saying its proximity to home would be crucial, while the hospital or surgeon's reputation was a big factor for just over a third (39 per cent). 

Six in 10 believed that making a choice where to be treated under the NHS would improve the chances of someone receiving a better quality of care.

While three quarters (76 per cent) thought it was important to have the opportunity to choose the hospital, according to the OnePoll.com data.

And 14 per cent were currently on a waiting list for a procedure at the time of polling, with 21 per cent of these having been on the waiting list for more than a year.

Jim Easton, from Practice Plus Group, added: "Elective operations may be classed as 'routine', but for the people waiting for them who can't walk, can't work or enjoy the things they like to do, they are life changing. 

"The private sector doesn't have a silver bullet, but working with our NHS partners, we can make a significant difference. 

"In the last year alone, the sector has delivered over a million procedures for the NHS, and we can do more."

CASE STUDY

Val Stones, 74, former Great British Bake-off contestant, chose to have her NHS hip replacement in a private hospital and cut her waiting time in half. 

She went to her GP, telling them she can't walk or stand straight, unable to sleep through the pain - and she was referred to her local NHS hospital. 

However, Val had heard from others about the ability to choose where you can have a procedure. 

She said: "I had a few friends who had been to Practice Plus Group in Shepton Mallet. I'd always thought it was just a private hospital but some of these friends had been there on the health service.

"It had shorter waiting times, but I also wanted to go somewhere that specialised in joint replacements, and where I knew my op wouldn't be cancelled because of an emergency, because everything they do is planned in advance. 

"After my assessment I was sent a form with some choices on - there wasn't much information about each option, but I already knew where I wanted to go. 

"I believe I was seen in months rather than years because of my choice and I couldn't have been happier with the quality of care."

Val added that Bake Off had transformed her life, but she was having to turn work down due to her health. 

She added: "My life was deteriorating, and the length of wait was really important to me - the operation fixed my limp and levelled me up as well so I can walk straight." 

"It's really only thanks to my new hip that I can live life to the full."