Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2024 to Question 12829 on Patient Choice Schemes, how many patients were offered choice at the point of referral in each of the last 12 months.

The NHS Constitution allows patients to be treated by any provider who holds a contract for the provision of National Health Services. This is a legal right, although there are certain circumstances in which a choice may not be possible. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework

Last year, the Government set out how it will make it easier for patients to exercise their choice by improving the NHS App, increasing choice for patients already on waiting lists, and raising awareness of patients’ right to choose.

At the point of referral, for example at a general practice appointment, patients will be actively offered a list of providers which are clinically appropriate for their condition. This will be a minimum of five providers where possible. Patients will also be informed of their right to choose, and encouraged to raise this at the time of the referral.