Pick up test results closer to home

Thursday, 7 June 2012 7:04 AM

The NHS is using new technology to make life easier for patients. New proposals include more choice over GP surgery and hospital treatment, as well as the opportunity to pick up test results closers to work, to fit in with your lifestyle. New proposals have been published which outline how patients will be able to choose where they receive essential tests, including blood tests and heart scans. From April 2013, patients will be able to pick somewhere closer to home or near where they work, instead of having to go to the nearest available option.

Alongside more choice, an important change will be made to the system that GPs and patients use to choose the hospital for their treatment – ‘Choose and Book’ – by including detailed waiting times information on the system. Patients and their doctors will get a better sense of how long they may wait for treatment, which will support them in deciding what hospital they go to.

According to The Guardian, by 2015 all general practices will be expected to enable patients to book and cancel appointments, order repeat prescriptions and access their records online. But there are some concerns about the confidentiality of electronic patient records.

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