Choose and Book Referral System

When your Doctor refers you to a specialist, the appointment can be chosen by you.

You can find out more from the Clinical Commissioning Group website.

 

Choose and Book

Choose and Book is a service that has been introduced across England that allows you to choose which hospital you would like to be referred to and book an appointment with a specialist.  You can find out more information at www.nhs.uk/choices.

We will provide you with the appointment information which will include a Booking Reference Number and a password. The appointment information will also include a telephone number you can ring to discuss the choice of hospitals that you have. Once you have decided on your preferred hospital you will need to ring that hospital to make your own appointment. This is so you can choose a date and time that is convenient to you. You should ring the hospital within 14 days of receiving your appointment information.

When you ring the hospital, for your own security and confidentiality of your personal details, you will need to quote the reference number and password which we will have supplied you with.

The Telephone Appointments Line: 0345 60 88888

If you call the Appointments Line they can book your appointment for you. They can give you information about the hospital or clinics on your list and may also be able to tell you what dates and times are free for an appointment. This will depend on which hospitals you are thinking about. Calls are charged at the local rate. The Appointments Line is open every day from 7am to 10pm. You will need to give your assword and unique booking reference number when you call.

Visit the Website

Visit the Choose and Book website. Click on “Book your appointment” then enter your unique booking reference number, the year you were born and your password.  After you have entered these details you can book, change or cancel an appointment or just view your booking.  You can compare information between hospitals and clinics and print it out. 

Cancelling or changing your appointment

The same procedures as above, by calling the Appointments hotline or by visiting the website. It is important to cancel your appointment if you are unable to attend so other patients can be booked in.

To find out about local hospitals

Visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk.  Click on “Health services near you”,and then “Hospitals and consultants” and then enter your own postcode or the postcode of the area where you would like to be treated.  The website will show you all the hospitals available to you in that area (both NHS and private) and lets you compare the services they offer.