Specialist NHS treatment and hospital services

Outpatient/inpatient appointments

If your condition requires the opinion of an expert, you will be referred to a consultant in a specialist field of medicine. The appointment is usually at the local hospital. However in some parts of the country, consultants hold outpatient clinics at the local GP practice or health centre.

Public consultation prior to drawing up the NHS Plan, highlighted patient concerns about waiting times and last minute cancellation of appointments and treatment. The NHS Plan has therefore set targets to improve waiting times. From March 2003, people should wait no longer than 21 weeks for an outpatient appointment following a GP referral. For inpatient treatment the target is a wait of no longer than 12 months. By 2005 it is hoped these times will be reduced to a maximum wait of three months for outpatient and six months for inpatient treatment.

Specialities with the highest waiting times include hip and knee surgery, cataract and heart surgery. A number of initiatives have been taken to address this situation. In 2002 the Patients’ Choice initiative was introduced for all patients who had been waiting six months or more for heart surgery. It offered them the option of surgery at another hospital offering treatment more quickly. In the longer term it is intended that patients will be able to have more choice about when and where they are treated.

Another initiative to help ease waiting times is the introduction of Diagnostic and Treatment Centres (DTCs) across the country. DTCs are primarily dedicated to carrying out pre-booked diagnostic tests and surgery in orthopaedics and ophthalmology. Some centres may treat urology and ear nose and throat (ENT) patients. Unplanned or emergency treatment will not be offered. Ten centres are currently open, with 19 planned for 2004/2005. Speak to your GP for further information about these initiatives locally.

Missed appointments and non attendance at outpatient clinics can add to patient waiting times. Appointment dates and times chosen by hospitals rather than patients makes this situation more likely. Already hospitals are offering patients appointments at their convenience in at least two ‘long wait’ specialities. Once compatible computer systems are in place, patients will be able to choose the date / time of an outpatient appointment or inpatient care from their GP practice or while at the hospital.

Transport to/from hospital

Most hospitals offer a non emergency patient transport service (PTS) to help those who are medically unfit to travel and have no alternative means of transport. In some areas volunteer car schemes can help those who have difficulties using public transport. These schemes are run by a variety of organisations including Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), Womens Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), British Red Cross and local volunteer bureaux. The Community Transport Association can give you contact details if there is a community transport scheme in your area.

There is also a scheme to help patients on a low income, who have difficulty funding transport costs, to attend hospital for consultant appointments or treatment.

Free prescriptions for over 60s

Anyone aged 60 or over does not have to pay for NHS prescriptions. There is a box on the back of the prescription you will be asked to sign. Some GP practices have a computerised prescribing system which will show your date of birth on the prescription. If this is not the case, you may be asked to provide evidence of your age. This is more likely if you are not using your regular pharmacy.

Some pharmacies are able to make deliveries to housebound people or have a service to collect repeat prescriptions from local GP practices. If this might be useful to you, ask the pharmacist. There may be a charge for such services.

Free NHS sight tests for over 60s

Anyone aged 60 or over is entitled to a free NHS sight test. It is generally suggested that adults have a sight test every two years. However, a sight test every 12 months has been recommended for those aged 70 and over by a joint working party of the Department of Health and professional bodies representing optometrists. It is however up to individual opticians to use their professional judgement in individual cases.

Some opticians only offer ‘private’ sight tests. Therefore it important to confirm you will be having an ‘NHS’ sight test when you book your appointment. You should also check whether they are including the full range.