Press release: NHS Confederation welcomes extension of patient choice programme
16 Jul 2003
In response to John Reid's announcement to extend the patient choice programme across the NHS by summer 2004, Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation stated:
"Choice for patients is an important part of modernising the NHS and the extension of choice to a wider group of patients is welcome. This announcement comes on the day that the star ratings are published. If we are to move towards giving patients real choices about their care, we need to ensure that the star ratings enable patients to make informed decisions."
Dr Morgan concluded, "We particularly welcome the decision to extend choice to those suffering from chronic disease. Over 17 million people treated by the NHS have long standing conditions. However giving patients control over their care, the information to manage it better and more integration of services, may be as important as choice of provider."
ENDS
Notes for editors
- The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
Contact details
- Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
Back to media centre
