Information for patients

People are usually referred for planned care by their GP or other healthcare professionals.

Planned care can take place both within a hospital setting or within the community, depending on the type of treatment required.

There are apps available to help support patients throughout their referral journey:

  • The NHS App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services.
  • The My Planned Care app gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare for your hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services while you wait.

If you are referred for your first outpatient appointment, in most cases you've the right to choose which hospital in England to go to.

This will include many private and NHS hospitals that provide services to the NHS. You are also able to choose which consultant-led team will be in charge of your treatment, as long as that team provides the treatment you require.

Accessibility tools

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