Choosing your hospital

(1)

Choosing

your

hospital

Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust

For most medical conditions, you can now choose where

and when to have your treatment.

This booklet explains more about choosing your hospital.

You will also find information about the hospitals you can

choose from.

(2)

What is

patient choice?

If you and your GP decide that you need to see a specialist for more treatment, you can now choose where and when to have your treatment from a list of hospitals or clinics.

Why has patient choice been introduced?

Research has shown that patients want to be more involved in making decisions and choosing their healthcare. Most of the patients who are offered a choice of hospital consider the experience to be positive and valuable. The NHS is changing to give you more choice and flexibility in how you are treated.

Your choices

Your local choices are included in this booklet. If you do not want to receive your treatment at a local hospital, your GP will be able to tell you about your choices of other hospitals across England.

As well as the hospitals listed in this booklet, your GP may be able to suggest community-based services, such as GPs with Special Interests or community clinics. Or, if your GP decides to refer you to a Clinical Assessment Service and you then need to go to hospital, you will be able to choose from this list of hospitals.

(4)

Making your choice

In choosing where to have your outpatient appointment, you will be choosing where to receive your full treatment, if you need it. This will include your initial outpatient appointment and any other

appointments for treatment (for example, inpatient care) or aftercare. However, if you are not happy with your chosen hospital after your outpatient appointment, your GP can make you an appointment at another hospital.

If you need very specialised care, you may need to be referred to another hospital. You may also be transferred to another specialty if the hospital doctor feels that this is more appropriate for your condition.

(5)

How to use this booklet

This booklet includes information about your choice of hospitals.

Use the ‘Where can I have my treatment?’ table on page 4 to find out which hospitals offer your treatment.

You can then find information about individual hospitals. This starts on page 7.

You can also find out how your hospital scores against a number of measures, some of which are patients’ views. This

information starts on page 46.

You will also find other information in this booklet to help you make your choice. You can use the 'Contents list' at the beginning of the booklet to find this information.

You can also find more information on www.nhs.uk

Your local library can help you use the internet to search for more information on choosing your hospital. See the 'Where can I find more information and support?' page later in this booklet for some website addresses that you can use.

(6)

Where can I have my treatment?

Use the chart below to check which hospitals provide the service you need. In addition to the hospitals listed, your GP may be able to refer you to community-based or other services. Ask him or her what’s available in your local area. He or she will also advise you if the service you need is not listed.

Specialty name

Hospital provider

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust

page 7

Barts and The London NHS Trust

page 8

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

page 10

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

page 11

Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

page 13

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust

page 14

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

(7)

Specialty name

King's College Hospital NHS Trust

page 16

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

page 17

Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust

page 18

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

page 19

North West London Hospitals NHS Trust

page 20

Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust

page 21

Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

page 22

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

page 23

Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust

page 24

St George's Healthcare NHS Trust

(8)

Specialty name

St Mary's NHS Trust

page 26

The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

page 27

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

page 29

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

page 30

Wandsworth Teaching Primary Care Trust

page 33

To find out more about the hospitals you can choose from go to page 7

(9)

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust www.asph.nhs.uk

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust received the Healthcare Commission's highest three-star rating in 2005. The Trust has two recently refurbished sites accessed by the M25 and M3. St Peter's provides general and emergency services and Ashford offers

rehabilitation and day surgery. Specialist services include orthopaedics, cardiology and neo-natal intensive care. Both hospitals provide a wide range of outpatient clinics.

St Peter's Hospital

Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 0PZ

Tel: 01932 872000

Trains:Chertsey. One mile.

Buses:Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.

Parking:On-site parking available. Charges apply. Ashford Hospital London Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 3AA Tel: 01784 884488

Trains:Ashford. One mile.

Buses:Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.

Parking:On-site parking available. Charges apply.

(10)

Barts and The London NHS Trust www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

The Trust has an international reputation. We offer a full range of specialist centres, including Britain's biggest heart attack centre, a regional cancer centre and one of the UK's largest children's hospitals. Home to London's air ambulance, Barts and The London is one of the capital's largest trauma and emergency care centres, providing surgical expertise that also benefits patients requiring more routine operations.

St Bartholomew's Hospital West Smithfield,

London, EC1A 7BE

Tel: 020 7377 7000

Trains:Blackfriars, Cannon Street, City Thameslink. Less than half a mile. Tube Station: St Paul's, Farringdon, Barbican, Blackfriars. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Travel information. 020 7222 1234.

Parking:Off-site parking available. Charges apply.

(11)

Barts and The London NHS Trust www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

The London Chest Hospital

Bonner Road, London, E2 9JX

Tel: 020 7377 7000

Trains:Cambridge Heath. Less than half a mile.

Tube Station: Bethnal Green. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Transport information. 020 7222 1234.

The Royal London Hospital

Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB

Tel: 020 7377 7000

Trains:Liverpool Street. One mile.

Tube Station: Whitechapel, Aldgate East. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Travel information. 020 7222 1234.

To see how your hospital scores see page 42

(12)

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust www.chelwest.nhs.uk

This central London teaching hospital provides general services for its local community and specialist services including sexual health and HIV, burns and paediatrics. We are committed to hospital hygiene: the Health Protection Agency showed the Trust had reduced MRSA cases by 50 per cent between October 2005 and March 2006. We also scored 97 per cent in a Healthcare Commission cleanliness spot check in December 2005.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road, London,

SW10 9NH Tel: 020 8746 8000

Trains:West Brompton. Up to half a mile.

Tube Station: Fulham Broadway, South Kensington, West Brompton. Up to half a mile.

Buses:London Travel Information. 020 7222 1234.

(13)

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk

The Trust provides a full range of services for parts of south-west London and north-east Surrey. In addition, it provides tertiary level renal (kidney), pathology and neonatal intensive care services to a wider catchment area. The Trust has two main sites at St Helier Hospital and Epsom. It also provides services from Sutton Hospital, the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children.

South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre

Dorking Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EG

Tel: 01372 735 800

Trains:Epsom. One mile.

Epsom General Hospital

Dorking Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EG

Tel: 01372 735 735

Trains:Epsom. One mile.

(14)

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk St Helier Hospital Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 1AA Tel: 020 8296 2000

Trains:St Helier. One mile.

Parking:On-site parking available. Charges apply. Sutton Hospital Cotswold Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5NF Tel: 020 8296 2000

Trains:Belmont. One mile.

(15)

Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust www.frimleypark.nhs.uk

The Trust, based near Camberley, Surrey, holds a 2005 Healthcare Commission three-star rating. It has an eye treatment centre on site, a new cardiology catheter lab, and hosts one of the Ministry of Defence's six UK Hospital Units. The Trust has a Charter Mark and Investors in People award (2004) and was the first in the UK to achieve the highest quality accreditation for clinical safety (Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts, 2004).

Frimley Park Hospital

Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Surrey, GU16 7UJ

Tel: 01276 604604

Trains:Frimley. Up to half a mile.

Buses:Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.

Parking:Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.

(16)

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust www.gosh.nhs.uk

We have an international reputation and provide a wide range of specialist services at our site in central London. We also provide general paediatric services at the North Middlesex University Hospital. We have close links with the Institute of Child Health, the UK's leading paediatric research centre. Many of our facilities have recently been refurbished and we also offer a local authority parking scheme.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust

Great Ormond Street, London,

WC1N 3JH

Tel: 020 7405 9200

Trains:Euston, King's Cross St Pancras. One mile.

Tube Station: Holborn or Russell Square. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Transport Information. 020 7222 1234.

Parking:No on-site parking. Phone for details.

(17)

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust includes two of London's teaching hospitals, providing patients with treatment and care from two central London sites near Waterloo and London Bridge. As well as a full range of general hospital services, we offer a wide range of specialist care including cardiac, cancer, dermatology, services for women and kidney patients, and children's services in the new Evelina Children's Hospital.

St Thomas' Hospital

Lambeth Palace Road, London,

SE1 7EH

Tel: 020 7188 7188

Trains:Waterloo. Up to half a mile.

Parking:On-site parking available. Charges apply. Guy's Hospital St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RT Tel: 020 7188 7188

Trains:London Bridge. Less than half a mile.

(18)

King's College Hospital NHS Trust www.kch.nhs.uk

King's College Hospital is one of London's largest and busiest teaching hospitals, with an interesting profile of local services and focused tertiary specialties. We have an international reputation for our work in liver disease and transplantation, neurosciences, cardiac and blood cell cancer, attracting patients from the UK and overseas.

King's College Hospital

King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS

Tel: 020 3299 9000

Trains:Denmark Hill, Loughborough Junction. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Buses. 020 7222 1234.

(19)

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust www.kingstonhospital.nhs.uk

The Trust is located in Kingston upon Thames. We are committed to quality healthcare and continue to improve our facilities, working hard to ensure that we have built up a wide range of clinical services. We are currently building a new surgical block, which will also provide catering facilities, a training and education centre and physiotherapy department. We are also building a new cancer unit and refurbishing our medical wards.

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

Galsworthy Road,

Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 7QB

Tel: 020 8546 7711

Trains:Norbiton. Less than half a mile.

(20)

Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust www.maydayhospital.nhs.uk

The Trust provides general and specialist services. Specialties include diabetes, cardiology, renal (kidney), HIV and a new Birth Centre as an alternative to the labour ward. The Trust was named 'Acute Healthcare Organisation of 2005' by the Health Service Journal, and the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts rates its maternity services Level 3, one of only 10 maternity units in the country to achieve the highest rating.

Mayday University Hospital

530 London Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 7YE

Tel: 020 8401 3000

Trains:West Croydon. One mile.

Buses:Transport for London. 020 7222 1234.

(21)

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust www.moorfields.nhs.uk

Established in 1805, we are the largest and oldest eye hospital in the UK and became a Foundation Trust in April 2004. We focus on the

treatment and care of patients with a range of eye problems from common complaints to rarer conditions. We recently adopted a day care policy, and a new Children's Eye Hospital opens in December 2006. Moorfields has other sites in Greater London, allowing patients to be treated closer to their homes.

Moorfields Eye Hospital 162 City Road,

London, EC1V 2PD Tel: 020 7253 3411

Trains:Old Street (WAGN). Less than half a mile.

Tube Station: Moorgate, Barbican, Angel. One mile. Old Street. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Transport. 020 7222 1234.

(22)

North West London Hospitals NHS Trust www.nwlh.nhs.uk

The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust incorporates Northwick Park and St Mark's Hospitals in Harrow, Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal and outreach services based close to our local communities in Wembley, Willesden, Edgware, Stanmore and Harlesden.

Northwick Park Hospital

Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3UJ

Tel: 020 8869 3232

Trains:Northwick Park. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Transport Information. 020 7222 1234.

(23)

Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust www.rbht.nhs.uk

Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals both appear in the three ‘top hospitals’ for treating heart disease in the Dr Foster Hospital Guide 2005. Both our hospitals have new specialist facilities for heart disease diagnosis. The Trust’s international specialists also treat a range of lung diseases. The Trust is rated as 'excellent' for outpatient waiting times and 'good' for low MRSA rates by the Healthcare Commission 2005.

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP

Tel: 020 7352 8121

Trains:n/a

Tube Station: South Kensington. Less than half a mile.

Harefield Hospital

Hill End Road, Harefield, Middlesex, UB9 6JH

Tel: 01895 823737

Trains:Denham Station / Uxbridge Underground Station. Seven miles.

(24)

Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust www.royalfree.nhs.uk

The Trust is a large London teaching hospital providing a wide range of specialist and general services. We specialise in renal (kidney) services, organ transplantation, cancer, neurosciences and hearing services. Services are provided at the Royal Free Hospital, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, Edgware Community Hospital, Barnet Hospital, Finchley Memorial and North Middlesex Hospital.

Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital

330 Gray's Inn Road, London,

WC1X 8DA

Tel: 020 7837 8855

Trains:Kings Cross. Less than half a mile.

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG

Tel: 020 7794 0500

Trains:n/a

Tube Station: Belsize Park. Less than half a mile.

(25)

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust www.rnoh.nhs.uk

The Trust provides a comprehensive range of healthcare, including treatment of the most acute spinal injury, complex bone tumour or nerve injury, as well as provision of orthopaedic medicine and specialist

rehabilitation for chronic back pain sufferers. The Trust is based on two sites: Stanmore in Middlesex and a Central London outpatients facility in Bolsover Street.

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

Brockley Hill,

Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP

Tel: 020 8954 2300

Trains:Stanmore. One mile.

Buses:n/a

(26)

Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk

The Trust is a modern hospital providing a wide range of general hospital services. It is establishing an increasing number of specialist surgical services and new techniques, such as new keyhole surgery. The cancer centre provides a full range of diagnostics, chemotherapy and

radiotherapy. The hospital won the 2005 Health Services Journal national award for Patient Centred Care.

Royal Surrey County Hospital

Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX

Tel: 01483 571122

Trains:Guildford. One mile.

Buses:Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.

(27)

St George's Healthcare NHS Trust www.stgeorges.nhs.uk

We are a London teaching hospital providing a wide range of general services including accident and emergency, children's and maternity services, and many specialist services related to the brain, heart and chest. Our specialist neurological services recently moved from Atkinson Morley Hospital to a new modern facility at the main site in Tooting. We are also a regional centre for diagnosis and treatment of complex cancers.

St George's Hospital (Tooting)

Blackshaw Road, London,

SW17 0QT

Trains:n/a

Tube Station: Tooting Broadway. Less than half a mile.

Bolingbroke Hospital

Bolingbroke Grove, London,

SW11 6HN

Trains:Wandsworth Common, Clapham Junction. Less than half a mile.

(28)

St Mary's NHS Trust www.st-marys.nhs.uk

The Trust provides general and specialist services, including cardiology, paediatrics, women's health and robotic (non-invasive) surgery at St Mary's Hospital, and ophthalmology at the Western Eye Hospital. We also offer some outpatient services from St Charles Hospital. Consistently achieving three stars for good performance from the Healthcare

Commission (2002-2006), the Trust has a strong history of research and teaching.

Western Eye Hospital

153-173 Marylebone Road, London,

NW1 5QH

Tel: 020 7886 6666

Trains:Marylebone. Less than half a mile.

Parking:Off-site parking available. Charges apply. St Mary's Hospital Praed Street, London, W2 1NY Tel: 020 7886 6666

Trains:Paddington. Less than half a mile.

(29)

The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust www.hhnt.nhs.uk

The Trust, in west London, manages Charing Cross Hospital,

Hammersmith Hospital and Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital. It is a busy trust with a strong history of education and research. Charing Cross and Hammersmith are both teaching hospitals, whilst Queen Charlotte's specialises in women's and children's services and maternity.

Charing Cross Hospital

Fulham Palace Road, London,

W6 8RF

Tel: 020 8846 1234

Trains:West Brompton. One mile.

Tube Station: Baron's Court, Hammersmith. Less than half a mile.

(30)

The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust www.hhnt.nhs.uk Hammersmith Hospital Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS Tel: 020 8383 1000

Trains:Acton Central. One mile.

Tube Station: East Acton, White City. Less than half a mile.

Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital

Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS

Tel: 020 8383 1111

Trains:Acton Central. One mile.

Tube Station: East Acton, White City. Less than half a mile.

(31)

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk

Based in London and Surrey, The Royal Marsden provides specialist cancer services from critical care to rehabilitation and has one of the UK's largest breast cancer units. The hospital is rated as one of only two in England to achieve excellence for both quality of services and use of resources (Healthcare Commission 2006). It is London's only

radiotherapy provider to meet Royal College waiting time standards for the past two years.

Royal Marsden Hospital (Surrey)

Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT

Tel: 020 8642 6011

Trains:Sutton / Belmont. One mile.

Royal Marsden Hospital (London)

Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ Tel: 020 7352 8171

Trains:n/a

Tube Station: South Kensington. Less than half a mile.

(32)

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust www.uclh.nhs.uk

The Trust is a major research and teaching centre with three stars from the Healthcare Commission since 2001/02. It provides general and specialist services at the new University College Hospital. It also has six specialist hospitals in central London. It was one of the first trusts to screen patients for MRSA on admission and is on track (August 2006) to meet the Health Protection Agency's target of halving MRSA blood infection by 2008.

Eastman Dental Hospital

256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD Tel: 020 7915 1000

Trains:King's Cross. Less than half a mile.

Tube Station: Russell Square or King's Cross. Less than half a mile.

Buses:London Travel. 020 7222 1234.

(33)

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital

Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DH Tel: 0845 155 5000

Trains:Euston. Up to half a mile.

Tube Station: Warren Street or Euston Square. Less than half a mile.

Parking:Phone for details.

National Hospital for

Neurology and Neurosurgery

Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG

Tel: 0845 155 5000

Trains:King's Cross. One mile.

Tube Station: Russell Square or Holborn. Less than half a mile.

Parking:Free, but limited.

(34)

The Heart Hospital

16-18 Westmoreland Street, London, W1G 8PH

Tel: 020 7573 8888

Trains:Marylebone. Less than half a mile.

Tube Station: Marylebone or Regent's Park. Less than half a mile.

Parking:Phone for details.

University College Hospital

235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU Tel: 0845 155 5000

Trains:Euston, Kings Cross, Warren Street, Euston Square. Less than half a mile.

Parking:n/a

(35)

Wandsworth Teaching Primary Care Trust www.wandsworth.nhs.uk

The PCT provides treatment at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton. Services include day care for the elderly and a minor injuries unit. Our Rapid Diagnostic Centre performs all tests, diagnoses and treatment packages at the first visit, reducing the number of appointments each patient needs. Our clinics include cardiology, colposcopy (gynaecological investigation), endoscopy (diagnostic investigation), ophthalmology and radiology.

Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton

Roehampton Lane, London,

SW15 5PN

Tel: 020 8487 6000

Trains:Barnes. One mile.

(36)

Your questions answered

Is patient choice offered for all medical conditions?

A choice of hospital is available for most medical conditions. However, not all hospitals treat every medical condition and some patients may need a more specialist service.

What if I don’t want to choose?

You do not have to make the decision yourself. If you prefer, your GP can still make the choice for you and recommend a hospital for your treatment.

What if I don’t want to go to a different hospital?

You don’t have to. If you would rather visit the hospital that you usually go to, you can make that choice.

Will I have to pay?

No, not as an NHS patient. All the hospitals listed provide services to NHS patients. As long as you choose one of the hospitals listed in this booklet, you won’t have to pay.

(37)

Is there help available for my travel arrangements to get to

hospital?

If your GP or the person who has referred you decides that you have a medical need for transport, patient transport services should be

provided. You may also have your travel expenses paid through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme, if you get Jobseeker’s Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit, or qualify under the low-income scheme.

Where’s best for me?

You might want to think about how you will get to hospital or who might pick you up when your treatment has finished. If you are going to be in hospital for a while, do you want to be close to family and friends? You may also want to think about how quickly you want to be treated. Would you be willing to travel further away if it meant that you could be treated quicker? Or you may have a different priority – hospital cleanliness or location, for example. The information in this booklet can help you make your choice based on the things that matter to you. You can also find more information on www.nhs.uk.

(38)

How to book your appointment

What you need to do

How ever you are being referred, your GP or practice team will let you know what you need to do.

Once you have left your GP practice, you can speak to your local support services for more help with choosing your hospital. Their contact details are on the back page of this booklet.

Using Choose and Book

GPs may use a computer system to book your first outpatient

appointment. This is called Choose and Book. This system gives you more control over when you book your appointment. Your GP or practice team can give you a leaflet called ‘An introduction to Choose and Book for patients’ that will give you more information.

Without Choose and Book

If your GP is not yet using Choose and Book, he or she will send a letter to your choice of hospital and can also send you a copy. The hospital will then contact you to make an appointment.

(39)

What do the specialty names

mean?

Cardiology Heart and blood vessels.

Dermatology Skin, hair and nails.

Ear, nose and throat

(ENT) Ear, nose and throat disorders.

Gastroenterology Digestive system, including the liver, stomach,

intestines and oesophagus.

General medicine Non-surgical treatment of diseases of the

internal organs, especially in adults.

General surgery Surgical treatment of abdominal organs, the

thyroid gland and hernia.

Gynaecology Organs of the female reproductive system.

Neurology Nervous system, including the brain, spinal

cord and nerves.

Ophthalmology Eye disorders, including injuries, infections,

tumours and cataracts.

Oral-maxillo surgery Mouth and facial surgery.

Paediatrics Diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases

(40)

Rheumatology Inflammatory diseases of the muscles and joints, including arthritis.

Trauma and

orthopaedics Musculoskeletal system including bones, jointsand supporting muscles.

Urology Kidneys, urinary, bladder and male

(41)

What does the healthcare jargon

mean?

What’s an outpatient appointment?

An outpatient appointment is when you visit the hospital to see a specialist who will examine you so that he or she can diagnose what the problem is and think about what the best treatment will be.

What’s inpatient treatment?

Inpatient treatment is when you go into hospital to have your treatment and stay overnight.

What is secondary or tertiary care?

When patients are referred by their GP for further treatment, this is known as secondary care. It usually means being treated by a

specialist in a hospital or a clinic. In some cases, patients may need to see a clinician with highly specialised knowledge of their condition. This is known as tertiary care.

What are NHS Foundation Trusts?

NHS Foundation Trusts are a new type of NHS hospital that are run by local managers, staff and members of the public. These trusts have been given more freedom than other NHS trusts. However, they remain within the NHS.

(42)

What are NHS Treatment Centres?

Some NHS Treatment Centres are run by the NHS and some are run by the Independent Sector. They both provide treatment to NHS patients with NHS standards of care. You do not have to pay for treatment at either type of treatment centre – the cost will be covered by the NHS.

What’s a GP with a Special Interest?

Sometimes, rather than going to a hospital or clinic, you may be able to choose to be treated by a GP with a Special Interest. As well as their GP qualifications, they have thorough training and experience in a specialist area.

What’s a Clinical Assessment Service?

Sometimes, instead of referring you direct to a hospital for an outpatient appointment, your GP might refer you to a Clinical Assessment Service. They will assess your condition and will discuss the next stage of your treatment. This assessment may take place in person or over the phone. Your GP will let you know what you need to do if he or she is referring you to a Clinical Assessment Service.

(43)

Where can I find more information

and support?

Your GP should be able to give you the answers to some of the questions you have about your condition.

Or, you can contact NHS Direct. Visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, go to NHS Direct Interactive on digital satellite TV, or call 0845 4647 and ask to speak to a health information adviser.

For other healthcare information

www.nhs.ukfor an electronic copy of this booklet, to compare individual hospitals, and other NHS information.

www.healthspace.nhs.ukfor a secure place on the internet where you can store all your personal health information. www.chooseandbook.nhs.ukfor information on the

electronic booking system that GPs may use to refer you for an outpatient appointment.

www.healthcarecommission.org.ukfor quality and performance information on hospitals from the independent regulator of healthcare.

www.patientopinion.org.uk, an independent website where you can find out what other patients are saying about local health services.

(44)

How do your hospitals score?

The information given in the following tables shows how some hospitals are doing against selected measures of

performance as well as ratings from patient surveys. The information for independent sector hospitals and for NHS Trusts is collected in different ways.

What do the statistics say

about Independent Sector

hospitals?

These performance indicators were collected over six months, from October 2005 to March 2006.

Inpatient waiting times This measures the length of time a patient waits to receive

treatment if they need to be admitted to hospital. The target is six months from the time a consultant decided hospital treatment was necessary to the time of receiving treatment.

Outpatient waiting times This measures the length of time a patient waits for an

appointment following a referral from their GP. The target is 13 weeks from the time the hospital receives the letter.

Cancelled operations This measures the number of operations which had to be cancelled for non-clinical reasons (i.e. equipment out of action, no bed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitors the number of MRSA blood infections recorded. NHS patients treated at a hospital or treatment centre managed by the

independent sector, are tested for MRSA prior to commencing treatment. This significantly helps reduce the risk of passing MRSA to other patients being treated at the hospital.

What do patients say about

Independent Sector

hospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitals and treatment centres each conduct Patient Satisfaction Surveys.

The information given in the following tables shows how some hospitals are doing against selected measures of

performance as well as ratings from patient surveys. The information for independent sector hospitals and for NHS Trusts is collected in different ways.

What do the statistics say

about Independent Sector

hospitals?

These performance indicators were collected over six months, from October 2005 to March 2006.

Cancelled operations This measures the number of operations which had to be cancelled for non-clinical reasons (i.e. equipment out of action, no bed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitors the number of MRSA blood infections recorded. NHS patients treated at a hospital or treatment centre managed by the

independent sector, are tested for MRSA prior to commencing treatment. This significantly helps reduce the risk of passing MRSA to other patients being treated at the hospital.

What do patients say about

Independent Sector

hospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitals and treatment centres each conduct Patient Satisfaction Surveys.

(45)

The following indicators are based on the responses to these surveys.

Clinical relationships Patients treated at the hospital are asked to comment on the way they felt they were treated by the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment on whether they found the hospital wards and toilets to be clean. Patients are also asked to express an overall view on the cleanliness of the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be Patients are asked to comment on whether they felt welcomed to the hospital, whether the environment was pleasant, friendly and warm and whether the care they received helped them to feel comfortable.

Overall patient satisfaction

This indicates patients’ overall impressions about the treatment and care they received at the The following indicators are based on the responses to these surveys.

Clinical relationships Patients treated at the hospital are asked to comment on the way they felt they were treated by the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment on whether they found the hospital wards and toilets to be clean. Patients are also asked to express an overall view on the cleanliness of the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be Patients are asked to comment on whether they felt welcomed to the hospital, whether the environment was pleasant, friendly and warm and whether the care they received helped them to feel comfortable.

Overall patient satisfaction

This indicates patients’ overall impressions about the treatment and care they received at the

(46)

What do the statistics say

about NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the year ending 31st March 2006.

Cancelled operations This measures the number of operations which had to be cancelled for non-clinical reasons (i.e. equipment out of action, no bed available or staff away) and for which a new date was not offered within 28 days of the original date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number of MRSA blood infections recorded and whether the hospital

reduced the rates compared with the previous year in line with the planned number of reductions.

What do patients say about

NHS hospitals?

A national survey of patients receiving treatment at NHS Trusts was conducted in 2005. The columns include results from questions that asked about:

Building closer relationships

Patients were asked whether they could understand the answers which doctors and nurses gave them to their questions and whether they felt that a doctor or nurse talked in front of them as if they weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable, friendly place to be This survey asked whether

patients felt bothered by noise at night, their opinion on how clean the room or ward was, how they

What do the statistics say

about NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the year ending 31st March 2006.

Cancelled operations This measures the number of operations which had to be cancelled for non-clinical reasons (i.e. equipment out of action, no bed available or staff away) and for which a new date was not offered within 28 days of the original date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number of MRSA blood infections recorded and whether the hospital

reduced the rates compared with the previous year in line with the planned number of reductions.

What do patients say about

NHS hospitals?

A national survey of patients receiving treatment at NHS Trusts was conducted in 2005. The columns include results from questions that asked about:

Building closer relationships

Patients were asked whether they could understand the answers which doctors and nurses gave them to their questions and whether they felt that a doctor or nurse talked in front of them as if they weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable, friendly place to be This survey asked whether

patients felt bothered by noise at night, their opinion on how clean the room or ward was, how they

(47)

rated the food, whether they were given enough privacy when being examined, whether they felt enough was done to control their pain and whether they were treated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality, co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether they felt they were given conflicting information from staff, how long it took to be discharged and whether they were given advice about any possible problems to watch out for when they went home.

Better information, more choice

This survey asked patients whether they felt they were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment, if staff explained about the medicines they were to take at home in a way they understood and if they were told about the possible side effects of that medication.

rated the food, whether they were given enough privacy when being examined, whether they felt enough was done to control their pain and whether they were treated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality, co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether they felt they were given conflicting information from staff, how long it took to be discharged and whether they were given advice about any possible problems to watch out for when they went home.

Better information, more choice

This survey asked patients whether they felt they were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment, if staff explained about the medicines they were to take at home in a way they understood and if they were told about the possible side effects of that medication.

(48)

Hospital score table

These tables show how your hospitals score against a number of measures, some of which are patients' views. For more information on what the measures mean, see 'How do your hospitals score?'.

The indicators for independent and NHS hospitals are in separate tables because the information comes from different sources, and the definitions and time-periods covered are slightly different. For example, a '3' score for an independent hospital is not directly comparable with a '3' score for an NHS hospital, although both will be good quality.

Performance

information Patients' views

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust

page 7

Barts and The London NHS Trust

page 8

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

page 10

Performance information Patients' views

Achieved target >90 out of 100

Underachieved 80-90 out of 100

Failed <80 out of 100

(49)

Performance

Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

page 13

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust

page 14

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

page 15

King's College Hospital NHS Trust

page 16

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

page 17

Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust

page 18

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

page 19

North West London Hospitals NHS Trust

(50)

Performance

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

page 23

Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust

page 24

St George's Healthcare NHS Trust

page 25

St Mary's NHS Trust

page 26

The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

page 27

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

page 29

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

page 30

Wandsworth Teaching Primary Care Trust

page 33

(51)

(52)

(53)

(54)

For confidential support with choosing your hospital,

contact:

Patient Advice and Liaison Service Falkland Wing Nelson Hospital Kingston Road London SW20 8DB Tel: 0800 085 3182 Email: pals@smpct.nhs.uk Website: www.suttonandmerton.nhs.uk Other formats

You can get this booklet in other formats (for example, in other languages, on audio tape, in Braille, in British Sign Language, in easy-to-read print and in large print). Please contact your GP practice team for a printed copy. For an electronic copy, please go to

www.nhs.uk

The general information in this booklet has gained Plain English Campaign's Crystal Mark for clarity, meaning that it is as easy to read as possible.