NHS: Patient Choice

If you are an NHS patient needing non-emergency treatment, the NHS Patient Choice initiative means that as you can choose from a range of hospitals, not just your local NHS Trust. Benenden is an accredited independent provider under this initiative.

 Why should I choose Benenden?

• Benenden has the space and time to care.
• Because it treats no emergency cases, Benenden can control hospital infections such as MRSA by screening patients before admission.
• Benenden can usually offer an appointment well within NHS waiting time standards.
• There is ample free car parking for you and your visitors.
• Your care at Benenden will be funded by the NHS.

 What treatments are available as an NHS patient?

 Our entry on the NHS Choices| website lists all the treatments available. Your GP should be able to see these treatments on the Choose & Book| menu.

 How does it work?

 When your GP decides your condition needs specialist diagnosis and treatment, he or she will refer you to a hospital under the care of a consultant.

Provided the care you need is available at Benenden, your GP should be able to see Benenden on the Choose & Book| local or national menu. (Choose & Book is the new NHS national computer system.)

You will be able to select a date and time for your first outpatient appointment at Benenden. (In some areas, it may be someone else in the GP practice or in a separate unit who actually sets up the booking. Or you may be referred by a traditional letter, or given a booking reference and asked to ring Benenden for an appointment.)