Engagement - News and Updates

Choice in elective care engagement September 2022

Choice in elective care - 2022

We recently ran a survey to understand the public's thoughts and views on improving elective care waiting times in Somerset. We want to know what is important to our patients when choosing where to be seen for treatment, and what matters when choosing where to have elective care.

Elective care is care that is planned in advance, as opposed to emergency treatment. This usually entails specialist medical care or surgery, and generally follows a referral from primary or community healthcare professionals, such as a GP.

Somerset NHS are looking at ways to ensure the number of patients awaiting treatment is brought down as quickly as possible. One way to do this is by encouraging patients to be seen at the provider with the shortest waiting time.

Picture of clinical worker with an older person doing a jigsaw puzzle

What we asked -

  • If you are referred to a hospital in Somerset for treatment, you will be offered treatment at a small choice of Somerset hospitals (this is likely to be two). These will be hospitals with the shortest waiting times, rather than those closest to you. How do you feel about this?
  • Would you have any concerns about this not being your closest hospital?
  • This action is being taken to reduce waiting times for patients across the whole of Somerset, because some hospitals have more patients needing treatment than can be treated. To what extent do you agree that this is the correct approach?
  • Please tell us why...
  • Please tell us what factors are most important to you when being referred for planned treatment.
  • Have we missed anything that would be important to you when choosing where to access planned care?
  • Is there anything else you want the NHS to provide you with to explain why you have been referred for treatment at a place other than your local hospital?
  • Do you have any further comments?

What we did -

Thank you for your feedback. We will be reading and analysing the responses from this survey to pull out key themes and trends. This data will inform decision making by the Elective Care Board and future communications with the public.