Alison Hammond learns about game changing NHS initiative that not many people know about

Let's face it, no one likes to think about health problems. But the fact is, illness or injury is something we all could experience at any time, whether that’s ourselves or the people we love most. That's why we challenged Alison Hammond, everyone's favourite Brummie TV star, and her son Aidan to see how clued up they were about accessing specialist treatment on the NHS.

The duo were amazed to discover how little they knew about an NHS initiative, which can make managing healthcare way more convenient. We’re talking about a little something called Patient Choice, which is designed to give you the power to choose which hospital you go to when you are referred.

The bottom line? You can make decisions on where you have see a specialist based on what is most important to you.

Here are three things that surprised Alison and could be a game-changer for you and your family…

You have the right to choose your hospital.

Healthcare is totally personal, right? Well, with Patient Choice, if you're referred for specialist treatment, you can select a hospital based on what matters most to you. It can even include private hospitals that provide NHS services, at no cost to you.

You can choose your hospital based on things like waiting times, how easy it is to get to, or whether it's close to friends and family who can support you. Alison said that it was good to know, so that, if she needed an operation, she could choose a hospital near to her sister who lives in a different part of the country.

You can get expert advice to make your decision.

Alison loved the idea that your GP or other healthcare professional could talk her through different choices and make it a whole lot simpler.

If you are referred for specialist treatment, you can decide where you go either during the appointment itself or take more time to decide using a shortlist provided by your GP practice. When you’re ready, you can choose your hospital by calling the national referral helpline, online or using the NHS App.

Making a choice based on what’s important to you

Alison summed it up perfectly: knowing your options takes away some of the stress that comes with health issues for you or someone you love.

Alison described her and Aidan as ‘a team’ and they’re always checking in on each other. She worries about Aidan who regularly gets really bad tonsillitis which wipes him out completely. Aidan also admits to worrying about his mum’s health, but she’s actually more into the gym than he is.

Patient Choice is all about giving you a little more control at a difficult time, allowing you to choose a hospital that works for you. So, spread the word, because the next time you or a loved one needs specialist treatment, it could make managing a tricky situation just that bit easier.

Get the full scoop on Patient Choice here: nhs.uk/patientchoice.