National Patient Choice Survey, Wave 8

Since the beginning of 2006, patients have been entitled to a choice of four or more hospitals when referred by their GP. The Department of Health commissioned Ipsos to undertake a regular postal survey assessing the implementation of this policy.

The results of the first eight surveys indicate that most eligible patients are not receiving any choice of hospital provider, despite government exhortations - although the proportion being offered a choice has improved, from 30% in May/June 2006 to 43% in July 2007.

The results of each wave relate to a two-week referral window:

• Results for the first wave relate to referrals made in May / June 2006 (78,777 responses).
• Results for the second wave relate to referrals made in July 2006 (70,084 responses).
• Results for the third wave relate to referrals made in September 2006 (70,580 responses).
• Results for the fourth wave relate to referrals made in November 2006 (56,928 responses).
• Results for the fifth wave relate to referrals made in January 2007 (73,000 responses).
• Results for the sixth wave relate to referrals made in March 2007 (75,290 responses).
• Results for the seventh wave relate to referrals made in May 2007 (75,191 responses).
• Results for the eighth wave relate to referrals made in July 2007 (62,264 responses). The July 2007 survey obtained a response rate of 27%.

The main findings of the July survey are:

• Since reaching a peak in March 2007, fewer patients recall being offered a choice of hospital for their first outpatient appointment: 43% in July, compared with 44% in May and 48% in the March survey (and 30% in the first survey in May / June 2006).
• The proportion of people were aware before they visited their GP that they had a choice of hospitals for their first hospital appointment has remained at the same level since May of 38%.
• 63% of patients who were aware of choice recalled being offered choice, whereas 32% of those not aware of choice recalled being offered it, compared with 63% and 33% respectively in the May survey.
• 28% of patients who were offered a choice of hospital were also offered a copy of the 'Choosing your hospital' booklet, down from 29% in May.
• 78% of patients who were offered choice were satisfied with the process and 5% were dissatisfied, similar to the May survey.
• Location or transport considerations were given most often, by 72% of patients, as an important factor when choosing a hospital.

Fieldwork carried out by postal questionnaire among patients referred in the last two weeks of:

• Results for Wave 1 based on 78,777 respondents.
• Results for Wave 2 based on 70,084 respondents.
• Results for Wave 3 based on 70,580 respondents.
• Results for Wave 4 based on 56,928 respondents.
• Results for Wave 5 based on 73,000 respondents.
• Results for Wave 6 based on 75,290 respondents.
• Results for Wave 7 based on 75,191 respondents.
• Results for Wave 8 based on 62,264 respondents.

Topline Results

• Where results do not sum to 100%, this may be due to computer rounding, multiple responses, or to the exclusion of don't knows or non-responses.
• An asterisk (*) indicates a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero.
• Results are weighted by age within gender to the profile of those with a first outpatient appointment.
• Base: All unless otherwise stated.

Q1 Before you visited your GP, did you know that you now have a choice of hospitals that you can go to for your first hospital appointment?

Q2 Were you offered a choice of hospital for your first hospital appointment?

Q3 Were you offered a copy of the Choosing Your Hospital booklet by your GP Practice?

Base: All who were offered a choice of hospital

Q4 Which of the following best describes how you felt about the process of choosing your hospital?

Base: All who were offered a choice of hospital

Q5 Which three factors, if any, would be most important to you when choosing a hospital? Top 9 factors

Q6 Do you have any comments about your experience of arranging a hospital appointment? Top 8 factors