Choosing your hospital - NHS...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

Choosing your hospitalSutton and MertonPrimary Care Trust

For most medical conditions, you can now choose whereand when to have your treatment.

This booklet explains more about choosing your hospital.

You will also find information about the hospitals you canchoose from.

Second editionDecember 2006

Contents

What is patient choice? 1

Making your choice 2

How to use this booklet 3

Where can I have my treatment? 4

Your hospitals A to Z 7

Your questions answered 34

How to book your appointment 36

What do the specialty names mean? 37

What does the healthcare jargon mean? 39

Where can I find more information and support? 41

How do your hospitals score? 42

Hospital score table 46

What is

patient choice?If you and your GP decide that you need to see a specialist for moretreatment, you can now choose where and when to have yourtreatment from a list of hospitals or clinics.

Why has patient choice been introduced?Research has shown that patients want to be more involved in makingdecisions and choosing their healthcare. Most of the patients who areoffered a choice of hospital consider the experience to be positive andvaluable. The NHS is changing to give you more choice and flexibilityin how you are treated.

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

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

General information 1

Making your choiceIn choosing where to have your outpatient appointment, you will bechoosing where to receive your full treatment, if you need it. This willinclude your initial outpatient appointment and any otherappointments for treatment (for example, inpatient care) or aftercare.

However, if you are not happy with your chosen hospital after youroutpatient appointment, your GP can make you an appointment atanother hospital.

If you need very specialised care, you may need to be referred toanother hospital. You may also be transferred to another specialtyif the hospital doctor feels that this is more appropriate for yourcondition.


How to use this bookletThis booklet includes information about your choice of hospitals.

Use the ‘Where can I have my treatment?’ table on page 4 tofind out which hospitals offer your treatment.You can then find information about individual hospitals. Thisstarts on page 7.You can also find out how your hospital scores against a numberof measures, some of which are patients’ views. Thisinformation starts on page 46.

You will also find other information in this booklet to help you makeyour choice. You can use the 'Contents list' at the beginning of thebooklet 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 moreinformation on choosing your hospital. See the 'Where can I findmore information and support?' page later in this booklet for somewebsite addresses that you can use.


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 providerAshford and St Peter's Hospitals

NHS Trustpage 7

Barts and The London NHS Trustpage 8

Chelsea and WestminsterHospital NHS Foundation Trust

page 10Epsom and St Helier University

Hospitals NHS Trustpage 11

Frimley Park Hospital NHSFoundation Trust

page 13Great Ormond Street Hospital

for Children NHS Trustpage 14

Guy's and St Thomas' NHSFoundation Trust

page 15

Hospital information 4

Specialty name

Hospital providerKing's College Hospital NHS

Trustpage 16

Kingston Hospital NHS Trustpage 17

Mayday Healthcare NHS Trustpage 18

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHSFoundation Trust

page 19North West London Hospitals

NHS Trustpage 20

Royal Brompton and HarefieldNHS Trust

page 21

Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trustpage 22

Royal National OrthopaedicHospital NHS Trust

page 23Royal Surrey County Hospital

NHS Trustpage 24

St George's Healthcare NHSTrust

page 25


Specialty name

Hospital provider

St Mary's NHS Trust page 26

The Hammersmith Hospitals NHSTrust

page 27The Royal Marsden NHS

Foundation Trustpage 29

University College LondonHospitals NHS Foundation Trust

page 30Wandsworth Teaching Primary

Care Trustpage 33


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

To find out what these specialties mean go to page 37.

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

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust received the HealthcareCommission's highest three-star rating in 2005. The Trust has tworecently refurbished sites accessed by the M25 and M3. St Peter'sprovides general and emergency services and Ashford offersrehabilitation and day surgery. Specialist services include orthopaedics,cardiology and neo-natal intensive care. Both hospitals provide a widerange of outpatient clinics.

St Peter's Hospital

Guildford Road,Chertsey, Surrey,KT16 0PZTel: 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 3AATel: 01784 884488

Trains: Ashford. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Barts and The London NHS Trustwww.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

The Trust has an international reputation. We offer a full range ofspecialist centres, including Britain's biggest heart attack centre, aregional 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 thecapital's largest trauma and emergency care centres, providing surgicalexpertise that also benefits patients requiring more routine operations.

St Bartholomew's Hospital

West Smithfield,London,EC1A 7BETel: 020 7377 7000

Trains: Blackfriars, Cannon Street, CityThameslink. Less than half a mile.Tube Station: St Paul's, Farringdon,Barbican, Blackfriars. Less than half amile.Buses: London Travel information. 0207222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.


Barts and The London NHS Trustwww.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk

The London Chest Hospital

Bonner Road,London,E2 9JXTel: 020 7377 7000

Trains: Cambridge Heath. Less thanhalf a mile.Tube Station: Bethnal Green. Lessthan half a mile.Buses: London Transportinformation. 020 7222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.

The Royal London Hospital

Whitechapel,London,E1 1BBTel: 020 7377 7000

Trains: Liverpool Street. One mile.Tube Station: Whitechapel, AldgateEast. Less than half a mile.Buses: London Travel information.020 7222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.

To see how yourhospital scores seepage 42


Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trustwww.chelwest.nhs.uk

This central London teaching hospital provides general services for itslocal community and specialist services including sexual health and HIV,burns and paediatrics. We are committed to hospital hygiene: the HealthProtection Agency showed the Trust had reduced MRSA cases by 50 percent between October 2005 and March 2006. We also scored 97 percent in a Healthcare Commission cleanliness spot check in December2005.

Chelsea and WestminsterHospital

369 Fulham Road,London,SW10 9NHTel: 020 8746 8000

Trains: West Brompton. Up to half amile.Tube Station: Fulham Broadway, SouthKensington, West Brompton. Up to half amile.Buses: London Travel Information. 0207222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


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

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

South West London ElectiveOrthopaedic Centre

Dorking Road,Epsom, Surrey,KT18 7EGTel: 01372 735 800

Trains: Epsom. One mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Epsom General Hospital

Dorking Road,Epsom, Surrey,KT18 7EGTel: 01372 735 735

Trains: Epsom. One mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


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

St Helier Hospital

Wrythe Lane,Carshalton, Surrey,SM5 1AATel: 020 8296 2000

Trains: St Helier. One mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Sutton Hospital

Cotswold Road,Sutton, Surrey,SM2 5NFTel: 020 8296 2000

Trains: Belmont. One mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trustwww.frimleypark.nhs.uk

The Trust, based near Camberley, Surrey, holds a 2005 HealthcareCommission three-star rating. It has an eye treatment centre on site, anew cardiology catheter lab, and hosts one of the Ministry of Defence'ssix UK Hospital Units. The Trust has a Charter Mark and Investors inPeople award (2004) and was the first in the UK to achieve the highestquality accreditation for clinical safety (Clinical Negligence Scheme forTrusts, 2004).

Frimley Park Hospital

Portsmouth Road,Frimley, Surrey,GU16 7UJTel: 01276 604604

Trains: Frimley. Up to half a mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.


Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trustwww.gosh.nhs.uk

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

Great Ormond Street Hospitalfor Children NHS Trust

Great Ormond Street,London,WC1N 3JHTel: 020 7405 9200

Trains: Euston, King's Cross StPancras. One mile.Tube Station: Holborn or RussellSquare. Less than half a mile.Buses: London TransportInformation. 020 7222 1234.Parking: No on-site parking. Phonefor details.


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

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

St Thomas' Hospital

Lambeth Palace Road,London,SE1 7EHTel: 020 7188 7188

Trains: Waterloo. Up to half a mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Guy's Hospital

St Thomas Street,London,SE1 9RTTel: 020 7188 7188

Trains: London Bridge. Less than halfa mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.


King's College Hospital NHS Trustwww.kch.nhs.uk

King's College Hospital is one of London's largest and busiest teachinghospitals, with an interesting profile of local services and focused tertiaryspecialties. We have an international reputation for our work in liverdisease and transplantation, neurosciences, cardiac and blood cellcancer, attracting patients from the UK and overseas.

King's College Hospital

King's College Hospital,Denmark Hill, London,SE5 9RSTel: 020 3299 9000

Trains: Denmark Hill, LoughboroughJunction. Less than half a mile.Buses: London Buses. 020 72221234.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.


Kingston Hospital NHS Trustwww.kingstonhospital.nhs.uk

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

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

Galsworthy Road,Kingston upon Thames, Surrey,KT2 7QBTel: 020 8546 7711

Trains: Norbiton. Less than half amile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Mayday Healthcare NHS Trustwww.maydayhospital.nhs.uk

The Trust provides general and specialist services. Specialties includediabetes, cardiology, renal (kidney), HIV and a new Birth Centre as analternative to the labour ward. The Trust was named 'Acute HealthcareOrganisation of 2005' by the Health Service Journal, and the ClinicalNegligence Scheme for Trusts rates its maternity services Level 3, one ofonly 10 maternity units in the country to achieve the highest rating.

Mayday University Hospital

530 London Road,Thornton Heath, Surrey,CR7 7YETel: 020 8401 3000

Trains: West Croydon. One mile.Buses: Transport for London. 0207222 1234.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.


Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trustwww.moorfields.nhs.uk

Established in 1805, we are the largest and oldest eye hospital in the UKand became a Foundation Trust in April 2004. We focus on thetreatment and care of patients with a range of eye problems fromcommon complaints to rarer conditions. We recently adopted a day carepolicy, and a new Children's Eye Hospital opens in December 2006.Moorfields has other sites in Greater London, allowing patients to betreated closer to their homes.

Moorfields Eye Hospital

162 City Road,London, EC1V 2PDTel: 020 7253 3411

Trains: Old Street (WAGN). Less thanhalf a mile.Tube Station: Moorgate, Barbican,Angel. One mile. Old Street. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: London Transport. 020 72221234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.


North West London Hospitals NHS Trustwww.nwlh.nhs.uk

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

Northwick Park Hospital

Watford Road,Harrow, Middlesex,HA1 3UJTel: 020 8869 3232

Trains: Northwick Park. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: London TransportInformation. 020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trustwww.rbht.nhs.uk

Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals both appear in the three ‘tophospitals’ for treating heart disease in the Dr Foster Hospital Guide2005. Both our hospitals have new specialist facilities for heart diseasediagnosis. The Trust’s international specialists also treat a range of lungdiseases. 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 6NPTel: 020 7352 8121

Trains: n/aTube Station: South Kensington.Less than half a mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.

Harefield Hospital

Hill End Road,Harefield, Middlesex,UB9 6JHTel: 01895 823737

Trains: Denham Station / UxbridgeUnderground Station. Seven miles.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trustwww.royalfree.nhs.uk

The Trust is a large London teaching hospital providing a wide range ofspecialist 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, Noseand Ear Hospital

330 Gray's Inn Road,London,WC1X 8DATel: 020 7837 8855

Trains: Kings Cross. Less than half amile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: No on-site parking. Phonefor details.

Royal Free Hospital

Pond Street,London,NW3 2QGTel: 020 7794 0500

Trains: n/aTube Station: Belsize Park. Less thanhalf a mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.


Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trustwww.rnoh.nhs.uk

The Trust provides a comprehensive range of healthcare, includingtreatment of the most acute spinal injury, complex bone tumour or nerveinjury, as well as provision of orthopaedic medicine and specialistrehabilitation for chronic back pain sufferers. The Trust is based on twosites: Stanmore in Middlesex and a Central London outpatients facility inBolsover Street.

Royal National OrthopaedicHospital NHS Trust

Brockley Hill,Stanmore, Middlesex,HA7 4LPTel: 020 8954 2300

Trains: Stanmore. One mile.Buses: n/aParking: Free on-site parking.


Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trustwww.royalsurrey.nhs.uk

The Trust is a modern hospital providing a wide range of general hospitalservices. It is establishing an increasing number of specialist surgicalservices and new techniques, such as new keyhole surgery. The cancercentre provides a full range of diagnostics, chemotherapy andradiotherapy. The hospital won the 2005 Health Services Journal nationalaward for Patient Centred Care.

Royal Surrey County Hospital

Egerton Road,Guildford, Surrey,GU2 7XXTel: 01483 571122

Trains: Guildford. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


St George's Healthcare NHS Trustwww.stgeorges.nhs.uk

We are a London teaching hospital providing a wide range of generalservices including accident and emergency, children's and maternityservices, and many specialist services related to the brain, heart andchest. Our specialist neurological services recently moved from AtkinsonMorley Hospital to a new modern facility at the main site in Tooting. Weare also a regional centre for diagnosis and treatment of complexcancers.

St George's Hospital (Tooting)

Blackshaw Road,London,SW17 0QT

Trains: n/aTube Station: Tooting Broadway.Less than half a mile.Buses: Transport for London. 0207222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Bolingbroke Hospital

Bolingbroke Grove,London,SW11 6HN

Trains: Wandsworth Common,Clapham Junction. Less than half amile.Buses: Transport for London. 0207222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.


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 StMary's Hospital, and ophthalmology at the Western Eye Hospital. Wealso offer some outpatient services from St Charles Hospital. Consistentlyachieving three stars for good performance from the HealthcareCommission (2002-2006), the Trust has a strong history of research andteaching.

Western Eye Hospital

153-173 Marylebone Road,London,NW1 5QHTel: 020 7886 6666

Trains: Marylebone. Less than half amile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.

St Mary's Hospital

Praed Street,London,W2 1NYTel: 020 7886 6666

Trains: Paddington. Less than half amile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: Off-site parking available. Charges apply.


The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trustwww.hhnt.nhs.uk

The Trust, in west London, manages Charing Cross Hospital,Hammersmith Hospital and Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital. It isa busy trust with a strong history of education and research. CharingCross and Hammersmith are both teaching hospitals, whilst QueenCharlotte's specialises in women's and children's services and maternity.

Charing Cross Hospital

Fulham Palace Road,London,W6 8RFTel: 020 8846 1234

Trains: West Brompton. One mile.Tube Station: Baron's Court,Hammersmith. Less than half a mile.Buses: Transport for London. 0845300 7000.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.


The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trustwww.hhnt.nhs.uk

Hammersmith Hospital

Du Cane Road,London,W12 0HSTel: 020 8383 1000

Trains: Acton Central. One mile.Tube Station: East Acton, WhiteCity. Less than half a mile.Buses: Transport for London. 0845300 7000.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.

Queen Charlotte's and ChelseaHospital

Du Cane Road,London,W12 0HSTel: 020 8383 1111

Trains: Acton Central. One mile.Tube Station: East Acton, WhiteCity. Less than half a mile.Buses: Transport for London. 0845300 7000.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.



The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trustwww.royalmarsden.nhs.uk

Based in London and Surrey, The Royal Marsden provides specialistcancer services from critical care to rehabilitation and has one of theUK's largest breast cancer units. The hospital is rated as one of only twoin England to achieve excellence for both quality of services and use ofresources (Healthcare Commission 2006). It is London's onlyradiotherapy provider to meet Royal College waiting time standards forthe past two years.

Royal Marsden Hospital(Surrey)

Downs Road,Sutton, Surrey,SM2 5PTTel: 020 8642 6011

Trains: Sutton / Belmont. One mile.Buses: Transport for London. 0207222 1234.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.

Royal Marsden Hospital(London)

Fulham Road,London, SW3 6JJTel: 020 7352 8171

Trains: n/aTube Station: South Kensington.Less than half a mile.Buses: Transport for London. 0207222 1234.Parking: No on-site parking. Phonefor details.


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

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

Eastman Dental Hospital

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

Trains: King's Cross. Less than half amile.Tube Station: Russell Square orKing's Cross. Less than half a mile.Buses: London Travel. 020 72221234.Parking: Phone for details.



Elizabeth Garrett Anderson andObstetric Hospital

Huntley Street,London, WC1E 6DHTel: 0845 155 5000

Trains: Euston. Up to half a mile.Tube Station: Warren Street orEuston Square. Less than half a mile.Buses: London Travel. 020 72221234.Parking: Phone for details.

National Hospital forNeurology and Neurosurgery

Queen Square,London,WC1N 3BGTel: 0845 155 5000

Trains: King's Cross. One mile.Tube Station: Russell Square orHolborn. Less than half a mile.Buses: London Travel. 020 72221234.Parking: Free, but limited.




The Heart Hospital

16-18 Westmoreland Street,London, W1G 8PHTel: 020 7573 8888

Trains: Marylebone. Less than half amile.Tube Station: Marylebone orRegent's Park. Less than half a mile.Buses: London Travel. 020 72221234.Parking: Phone for details.

University College Hospital

235 Euston Road,London, NW1 2BUTel: 0845 155 5000

Trains: Euston, Kings Cross, WarrenStreet, Euston Square. Less than halfa mile.Buses: London Travel. 020 72221234.Parking: n/a



Wandsworth Teaching Primary Care Trustwww.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. OurRapid Diagnostic Centre performs all tests, diagnoses and treatmentpackages at the first visit, reducing the number of appointments eachpatient needs. Our clinics include cardiology, colposcopy (gynaecologicalinvestigation), endoscopy (diagnostic investigation), ophthalmology andradiology.

Queen Mary's Hospital,Roehampton

Roehampton Lane,London,SW15 5PNTel: 020 8487 6000

Trains: Barnes. One mile.Buses: London Travel Information.020 7222 1234.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


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 mayneed 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 GPcan still make the choice for you and recommend a hospital for yourtreatment.

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 youusually go to, you can make that choice.

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


Is there help available for my travel arrangements to get tohospital?If your GP or the person who has referred you decides that you have amedical need for transport, patient transport services should beprovided. 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 qualifyunder the low-income scheme.

Where’s best for me?You might want to think about how you will get to hospital or whomight pick you up when your treatment has finished. If you are goingto be in hospital for a while, do you want to be close to family andfriends? You may also want to think about how quickly you want tobe treated. Would you be willing to travel further away if it meant thatyou could be treated quicker? Or you may have a different priority –hospital cleanliness or location, for example. The information in thisbooklet can help you make your choice based on the things thatmatter to you. You can also find more information on www.nhs.uk.


How to book your appointment

What you need to doHow ever you are being referred, your GP or practice team will let youknow what you need to do.

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

Using Choose and BookGPs may use a computer system to book your first outpatientappointment. This is called Choose and Book. This system gives youmore control over when you book your appointment. Your GP orpractice team can give you a leaflet called ‘An introduction to Chooseand Book for patients’ that will give you more information.

Without Choose and BookIf your GP is not yet using Choose and Book, he or she will send aletter to your choice of hospital and can also send you a copy. Thehospital will then contact you to make an appointment.


What do the specialty namesmean?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 theinternal organs, especially in adults.

General surgery Surgical treatment of abdominal organs, thethyroid gland and hernia.

Gynaecology Organs of the female reproductive system.

Neurology Nervous system, including the brain, spinalcord and nerves.

Ophthalmology Eye disorders, including injuries, infections,tumours and cataracts.

Oral-maxillo surgery Mouth and facial surgery.

Paediatrics Diagnosing, treating and preventing diseasesin children.


Rheumatology Inflammatory diseases of the muscles andjoints, including arthritis.

Trauma andorthopaedics

Musculoskeletal system including bones, jointsand supporting muscles.

Urology Kidneys, urinary, bladder and malereproductive organs.


What does the healthcare jargonmean?What’s an outpatient appointment?An outpatient appointment is when you visit the hospital to see aspecialist who will examine you so that he or she can diagnose whatthe 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 yourtreatment and stay overnight.

What is secondary or tertiary care?When patients are referred by their GP for further treatment, this isknown as secondary care. It usually means being treated by aspecialist in a hospital or a clinic. In some cases, patients may need tosee 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 bylocal managers, staff and members of the public. These trusts havebeen given more freedom than other NHS trusts. However, theyremain within the NHS.


What are NHS Treatment Centres?Some NHS Treatment Centres are run by the NHS and some are run bythe Independent Sector. They both provide treatment to NHS patientswith NHS standards of care. You do not have to pay for treatment ateither 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 ableto choose to be treated by a GP with a Special Interest. As well astheir GP qualifications, they have thorough training and experience ina specialist area.

What’s a Clinical Assessment Service?Sometimes, instead of referring you direct to a hospital for anoutpatient appointment, your GP might refer you to a ClinicalAssessment Service. They will assess your condition and will discussthe next stage of your treatment. This assessment may take place inperson or over the phone. Your GP will let you know what you needto do if he or she is referring you to a Clinical Assessment Service.


Where can I find more informationand support?Your GP should be able to give you the answers to some of thequestions you have about your condition.

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

For other healthcare information

www.nhs.uk for an electronic copy of this booklet, to compareindividual hospitals, and other NHS information.

www.healthspace.nhs.uk for a secure place on the internetwhere you can store all your personal health information.

www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk for information on theelectronic booking system that GPs may use to refer you for anoutpatient appointment.

www.healthcarecommission.org.uk for quality andperformance information on hospitals from the independentregulator of healthcare.

www.patientopinion.org.uk, an independent website whereyou can find out what other patients are saying about localhealth services.


How do your hospitals score?The information given in thefollowing tables shows howsome hospitals are doing againstselected measures ofperformance as well as ratingsfrom patient surveys. Theinformation for independentsector hospitals and for NHSTrusts is collected in differentways.

What do the statistics sayabout Independent Sectorhospitals?

These performance indicatorswere collected over six months,from October 2005 to March2006.

Inpatient waiting times

This measures the length of timea patient waits to receivetreatment if they need to beadmitted to hospital. The targetis six months from the time aconsultant decided hospitaltreatment was necessary to thetime of receiving treatment.

Outpatient waiting times

This measures the length of timea patient waits for an

appointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.

Cancelled operations

This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitorsthe number of MRSA bloodinfections recorded. NHS patientstreated at a hospital or treatmentcentre managed by theindependent sector, are testedfor MRSA prior to commencingtreatment. This significantly helpsreduce the risk of passing MRSAto other patients being treated atthe hospital.

What do patients say aboutIndependent Sectorhospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitalsand treatment centres eachconduct Patient SatisfactionSurveys.

The information given in thefollowing tables shows howsome hospitals are doing againstselected measures ofperformance as well as ratingsfrom patient surveys. Theinformation for independentsector hospitals and for NHSTrusts is collected in differentways.

What do the statistics sayabout Independent Sectorhospitals?

These performance indicatorswere collected over six months,from October 2005 to March2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for an

appointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitorsthe number of MRSA bloodinfections recorded. NHS patientstreated at a hospital or treatmentcentre managed by theindependent sector, are testedfor MRSA prior to commencingtreatment. This significantly helpsreduce the risk of passing MRSAto other patients being treated atthe hospital.

What do patients say aboutIndependent Sectorhospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitalsand treatment centres eachconduct Patient SatisfactionSurveys.

Hospital performance information 42

The following indicators arebased on the responses to thesesurveys.

Clinical relationships

Patients treated at the hospitalare asked to comment on theway they felt they were treatedby the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment onwhether they found the hospitalwards and toilets to be clean.Patients are also asked to expressan overall view on the cleanlinessof the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be

Patients are asked to commenton whether they felt welcomedto the hospital, whether theenvironment was pleasant,friendly and warm and whetherthe care they received helpedthem to feel comfortable.

Overall patientsatisfaction

This indicates patients’ overallimpressions about the treatmentand care they received at thehospital.

The following indicators arebased on the responses to thesesurveys.

Clinical relationships

Patients treated at the hospitalare asked to comment on theway they felt they were treatedby the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment onwhether they found the hospitalwards and toilets to be clean.Patients are also asked to expressan overall view on the cleanlinessof the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be

Patients are asked to commenton whether they felt welcomedto the hospital, whether theenvironment was pleasant,friendly and warm and whetherthe care they received helpedthem to feel comfortable.

Overall patientsatisfaction

This indicates patients’ overallimpressions about the treatmentand care they received at thehospital.


What do the statistics sayabout NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the yearending 31st March 2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for anappointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away) andfor which a new date was notoffered within 28 days of theoriginal date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number ofMRSA blood infections recordedand whether the hospitalreduced the rates compared withthe previous year in line with theplanned number of reductions.

What do patients say aboutNHS hospitals?

A national survey of patientsreceiving treatment at NHS Trustswas conducted in 2005. Thecolumns include results fromquestions that asked about:

Building closerrelationships

Patients were asked whether theycould understand the answerswhich doctors and nurses gavethem to their questions andwhether they felt that a doctor ornurse talked in front of them as ifthey weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable,friendly place to be

This survey asked whetherpatients felt bothered by noise atnight, their opinion on how cleanthe room or ward was, how they

What do the statistics sayabout NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the yearending 31st March 2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for anappointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away) andfor which a new date was notoffered within 28 days of theoriginal date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number ofMRSA blood infections recordedand whether the hospitalreduced the rates compared withthe previous year in line with theplanned number of reductions.

What do patients say aboutNHS hospitals?

A national survey of patientsreceiving treatment at NHS Trustswas conducted in 2005. Thecolumns include results fromquestions that asked about:

Building closerrelationships

Patients were asked whether theycould understand the answerswhich doctors and nurses gavethem to their questions andwhether they felt that a doctor ornurse talked in front of them as ifthey weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable,friendly place to be

This survey asked whetherpatients felt bothered by noise atnight, their opinion on how cleanthe room or ward was, how they


rated the food, whether theywere given enough privacy whenbeing examined, whether theyfelt enough was done to controltheir pain and whether they weretreated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality,co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether theyfelt they were given conflictinginformation from staff, how longit took to be discharged andwhether they were given adviceabout any possible problems towatch out for when they wenthome.

Better information,more choice

This survey asked patientswhether they felt they wereinvolved as much as they wantedto be in decisions about theircare and treatment, if staffexplained about the medicinesthey were to take at home in away they understood and if theywere told about the possible sideeffects of that medication.

rated the food, whether theywere given enough privacy whenbeing examined, whether theyfelt enough was done to controltheir pain and whether they weretreated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality,co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether theyfelt they were given conflictinginformation from staff, how longit took to be discharged andwhether they were given adviceabout any possible problems towatch out for when they wenthome.

Better information,more choice

This survey asked patientswhether they felt they wereinvolved as much as they wantedto be in decisions about theircare and treatment, if staffexplained about the medicinesthey were to take at home in away they understood and if theywere told about the possible sideeffects of that medication.


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

The indicators for independent and NHS hospitals are in separate tables because the informationcomes 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' scorefor an NHS hospital, although both will be good quality.

Performanceinformation Patients' views

Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trustpage 7

Barts and The London NHS Trustpage 8

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trustpage 10

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trustpage 11

Performance information Patients' views

Achieved target >90 out of 100

Underachieved 80-90 out of 100

Failed <80 out of 100

Data not available Data not available


Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trustpage 13

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trustpage 14

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trustpage 15

King's College Hospital NHS Trustpage 16

Kingston Hospital NHS Trustpage 17

Mayday Healthcare NHS Trustpage 18

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trustpage 19

North West London Hospitals NHS Trustpage 20

Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trustpage 21

Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trustpage 22


Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trustpage 23

Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trustpage 24

St George's Healthcare NHS Trustpage 25

St Mary's NHS Trust page 26

The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trustpage 27

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trustpage 29

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustpage 30

Wandsworth Teaching Primary Care Trustpage 33

For full details of how the scores were calculated please go to

www.nhs.uk/documents/choice/indicators.pdf

Notes page:

Notes page:

Notes page:

For confidential support with choosing your hospital,contact:

Patient Advice and Liaison ServiceFalkland WingNelson HospitalKingston RoadLondonSW20 8DB

Tel: 0800 085 3182Email: [email protected]: www.suttonandmerton.nhs.uk

Other formatsYou can get this booklet in other formats (for example, in otherlanguages, on audio tape, in Braille, in British Sign Language, ineasy-to-read print and in large print). Please contact your GP practiceteam for a printed copy. For an electronic copy, please go towww.nhs.uk

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

Please note that the information was correct at the time of printing.

276033/130© Crown copyright 2006 1p Dec 06 (BEL)

Documents

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