Choosing a Consultant

[Peter Carter]

Amid the furore of today's announcement of consultant success rates being published, I noticed that, as a serviceman, you don't have the right to choose!
Here is a snip from the NHS Choices website:

You do not have the right to choose if you are:
a prisoner
a serving member of the Armed Forces
detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
using maternity services

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Bizarre.. There must be a reason but off the top of my head I can't imagine what it could be.

[Jumping_Jack]

What an interesting group we are members of....

[Wander00]

I should ask that Gp Capt, should have been Air Commodore, nurse

[TomJoad]

Probably got something to do with provision of medical care within the Services but I suspect that it could be challenged under equality laws or Human Rights etc.

[hippocrates]

Fret not! You can see who ever you want under the new NHS/MOD choose and book system.



Hippo

[VinRouge]

Probably to do with our priority treatment status. If you want to get picky, I suppose you could join the back of the queue with the civvies.

[High_Expect]

It all makes sense now priority treatment for service personnel..... With the doctor who had the lowest positive outcome scores and therefore no waiting list. Q here for Dr Death.

[Melchett01]

If you have a decent MO, one who knows the various hospitals and consultants who cover your particular clinical need, they will send to the best one rather than the nearest one or the one the system says you should go to. The one at Boscombe a while back was fantastic in that respect, always looking out for the best interests of the patients rather than the system.

[High_Expect]

So if I get ill just ensure I get posted to Boscombe - simples.

[Melchett01]

If only all the RAF's problems could be solved so easily eh