Choice to Heavy a Burden for Some

Some doctors are up in arms over the Government's plans to launch a new NHS CHOICE website this summer which as well as offering information about patient care and choosing which hospitals to be treated at will include a section given over to reviews and performance ratings submitted by patients, rather similar to the Patient Opinion website

Dismissing the exercise as a ' gimmick' Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of the British Medical Association's GP's Committee said

" This seems a bit superficial and rather typical of this Governments policy. People tend to go to these things when they have complaints rather than when they are satisfied (and...?) so it may to favour the complainers rather than those in favour".

The CHOICE website will act as a gateway to other NHS services and in addidition to providing information will allow users to leave reviews.

The Department of Health believes the website will encourage doctors and hospital managers to improve their performance if they receive bad reports.A Department
spokesman said, ' The exact specifics are yet to be agreed upon . It will develop over time to provide a comprehensive resource for patients.

Feel free to give Surrey & Borders NHS Trust glowing reports .

Source Computeractive