25 February 2005
Patients want more information about their care but few want a choice over when they are treated, according to a Healthcare Commission survey.
The commission surveyed 140,000 patients in outpatient clinics and accident and emergency departments and found that 54% of them were not given a choice of appointment times but had neither wanted nor needed it. But a further 16% were not offered a choice and would have liked one.
Patients believed they were not involved in decisions over their care and 20% of outpatients felt they were not getting enough information.
The commission was particularly concerned that only 49% of A&E patients were informed of possible side-effects of new medication.
The Department of Health said the lack of enthusiasm for choice probably reflected the fact that the initiative was in its infancy and was concentrated in elective surgery.
A spokesman said patients' experience was improving as waiting times fell - 80% of patients were given an appointment within three months, a 5% rise on the previous year.
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