The empowerment of NHS patients took another step forward today, as the most comprehensive source of information on NHS hospital waiting lists was released.
The empowerment of NHS patients took another step forward today, as the most comprehensive source of information on NHS hospital waiting lists was released.
Norwich Union Healthcare has launched the Waiting List Guide, allowing people to find out information on total waiting times* – both the wait to see a consultant and the wait for the operation – for 40 of the most common medical procedures.
The Waiting List Guide, part of Norwich Union Healthcare’s Personal Health Manager, allows visitors to search for the first time waiting list data either by procedure, specialty, specific NHS trusts or trusts within selected postcodes and surrounding areas.
Nationally, the Government’s focus on hearts and common operations such as eye surgery appears to be paying off and show the tide turning on waiting lists. Norwich Union Healthcare’s Waiting List Guide concludes:
- Since 1998, the average total waiting time for a heart bypass procedure has fallen by over 8 per cent to 210 days from 229 days
- The average total waiting time for a cataract procedure is down almost nine per cent today at 245 days compared to 1998 (268 days)
As the service launches, new research from Norwich Union Healthcare reveals that almost two-thirds of adults have been referred to a specialist or consultant.
But nine in ten have never questioned the referral or asked to go to a different specialist or consultant – even if it meant a shorter wait.
Norwich Union has launched the Waiting List Guide in the hope that patients will talk to their GPs when being referred to ensure they have more say in the treatment they receive from the NHS.
Tim Baker, director of Norwich Union Healthcare, said: “By empowering patients we may be able to help reduce NHS waiting times, which is why we’ve added the Waiting List Guide to Personal Health Manager.
“This way patients can make better choices about the treatment they receive and hopefully discuss them with their GPs.”
This ‘patient empowerment’ factor was echoed by GP Dr Ann Robinson who said: “Patients should be encouraged to have a dialogue with their GPs when they are referred for treatment. Services such as Personal Health Manager from Norwich Union Healthcare can only improve this dialogue.
“There are many others who still believe that the doctor knows best and rarely question the referral that we offer. In my experience, people who take control of their health, are often the ones who get better healthcare. We should be encouraging people to question their medical care – it might be better for them.”
The Waiting List Guide on Personal Health Manager was compiled by Dr Foster, an organisation that provides information and analysis to the professional healthcare community.
This research was done by the Dr Foster Unit at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.
Roger Taylor, research director at Dr Foster, said: “Patients should use this information to discuss their treatment with their GP. Although waiting times are only one aspect of hospital care, we believe these figures are helpful in giving the public a head start in identifying where they might be able to get treatment on the NHS more quickly.”
Personal Health Manager offers round-the-clock help, advice and information for Norwich Union Healthcare customers and their families. It also provides telephone access to GPs 24 hours a day.
The service is available to individual Private Medical Insurance customers of Norwich Union Healthcare who register on the site as part of the policy benefits available to them.
And Norwich Union Healthcare has set up a limited free trial of Personal Health Manager – including the Waiting List Guide. Simply call 0800 142 142+ quoting reference 4FBA3B0DA. The trial period for your readers will expire on 29 August 2003**
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Media contact:
Matthew Buchanan/Jo Misson at QBO Bell Pottinger on 020 7861 2424 (out of hours telephone number: 07766 914 746) or Lorna Wiltshire at Norwich Union Press Office on 01904 723236 or 07788 471849
Notes to editors:
*The total waiting time is calculated from two sources. The average days wait for a first appointment with a consultant (the outpatient wait) is estimated from published Department of Health figures for the percentage of patients seen within target times. The waiting time from seeing the consultant to going into hospital for an operation (the inpatient wait) is calculated from national hospital records (Hospital Episode Statistics). Data for Scotland is sourced from the Scottish Executive.
**The 24-Hour GP Helpline is not available as part of the trial. Personal Health Manager is strictly available for use in, and by residents of the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands only.
+For security and administration, calls and e-mails to and from Norwich Union may be monitored and/or recorded.
Norwich Union commissioned TNS Global to conduct research amongst 1,000 adults about their experiences and views about GP referrals. Research was carried out in June 2003.
Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products to around 750,000 customers. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
Norwich Union Healthcare is a member of the General Insurance Standards Council and the Association of British Insurers.
Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer. It is a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the leading IFA providers. IFAs provide around 70% of the company’s long-term savings business.
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