Extended Choice Network
In January 2007 private Hospitals started making their services directly bookable to GPs whose PCT had commissioned their services.
Since April 2007, the 'Extended Choice Network' has included all NHS Foundation Trusts and independent sector hospitals who are accredited by the Department of Health as meeting NHS quality and cost criteria. This meant that a GP could, via CaB, offer their patients the choice of four or more local providers, and the option of any Foundation Trust or accredited independent sector hospital in England.
The Government's intention is that when patients are able to choose between their local NHS Hospital and any accredited private hospital in England, standards will rise (known as 'contestability').
In March 2007 the first independent sector hospitals became available as directly bookable options from within Choose and Book.
Read more about this topic: Choose And Book
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