Choosing and using: patient choice in 'Choose and Book'

Seventy six percent of people feel that the main healthcare priority should be to involve people in decisions over the treatment of their illness. One group of users in primary care that are likely to have diminished choice are the heaviest users: the elderly. Modernization of the NHS has placed the user as a consumer, thus creating a more user-friendly service that not only takes into account the role of the consumer, but actively engages with them. Increased patient choice provides a context for meeting patient expectations. Patient choice and patient centred care are evident within the NHS Plan, which outlines a vision of health services designed around the patient. This article will review the extent to which elderly patients have real and meaningful choices in the 'Choose and Book' system which operates within the primary care setting.