Patient Choice

When you are referring patients directly, eg direct cataract referral, you may be asked which treatment centres are available to them.

It is usually in patients' best interest to be seen locally, however they do have the right to be seen outside of the area, and can choose to go to any hospital or clinic in England that offers NHS services for their first appointment, provided that that hospital or clinic offers the right treatment and care for their condition.

They also have the right to choose, subject to certain conditions, to receive treatment which is normally available to them on the NHS in other countries within the European Economic Area.

For more information about Patient Choice, visit http://www.nhs.uk/choiceinthenhs/yourchoices/Pages/your-choices.aspx

and/or download the document on the right.

Remember that under the MK direct cataract referral scheme you may only refer patients who are registered with a GP in the MKCCG area. Similarly under the Bucks direct cataract referral scheme you may only refer patients who are registered with a GP in the AVCCG or CCCG area. (Click the link on the right for a list of CCG member practices.) To refer such a patient to a hospital or clinic outside the area, simply send your referral as usual, either to MKCCG (for the MK scheme) or directly to the chosen hospital or clinic (for the Bucks scheme).