A BETTER service and more choice for patients is the aim of the Choose and Book system which lets you select your own hospital appointment.

It gives patients the chance to decide when and where they are seen, and according to health chiefs, has revolutionised the old patient booking system.

The electronic system gives patients the opportunity to choose the time, date and location of their initial hospital or clinic appointment and book it on the spot in the surgery or later on the phone or via the internet.

Although a national programme, its introduction in south-east Essex has been so successful that NHS South East Essex has begun to switch off paper referrals to Southend Hospital.

It is anticipated all GP referrals will be made by Choose and Book by the end of this year, providing a better service and more choice for patients.

Rachel Wiffen, 24, from Shoebury, is just one of the patients who’s already benefited from the new system.

“I could choose which hospital I went to and also choose the time,” she says. “This meant I could organise it around work. For me, it’s best to take time off in the morning, so I was able to book a morning appointment. It made a huge difference.”

Rachel had been having problems with her thyroid for many years, and was keen to see a specialist.

She says: “I was suffering tiredness and had gained about two stone very quickly. I went to see a doctor and he referred me on. He gave me a list of places and times and said I could either book an appointment there and then or later at home online. He gave me a password that allowed me to log-on at home and book the time and hospital myself.

“I was quite shocked at how simple and easy it was. At first I was a bit worried the booking might not have gone through, but then I received a letter confirming my appointment.”

Choose and Book combines electronic booking and a choice of place, date and time for first hospital or clinic appointments.

Patients can choose any hospital in England funded by the NHS, and includes NHS hospitals as well as some independent hospitals.

Months later, Rachel was having a check-up for sinus problems and the doctor suggested she be referred for more checks.

She says: “After carrying out tests, the doctor wanted further checks carried out. He allowed me to book my next appointment there and then.

“He gave me the list of different hospitals and appointments and he pointed out which was the closest one.

“On that occasion it was the Wellesley Hospital, which also offered appointments in the evenings which was very useful. It is so much quicker and more effective because it’s booked for what’s best for the patient.”

Choose and Book also lets patients plan and manage their existing appointments. They can fit their treatment in with other commitments, at home and at work, or choose appointments that fit with a carer’s schedule.

They can also check the status of their referral and to change or cancel their appointments easily over the phone or on the internet.