PATIENTS in Bromsgrove and throughout Worcestershire now have the right to a choice over where and when they get hospital treatment.

Since January 1 all eligible patients are being offered at least four hospitals or clinics when they need to see a specialist for further treatment.

Gillian Entwistle, acting chief executive of the Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust, said: "Choice is now a reality here in Redditch and Bromsgrove.

"The changes mark a new way of accessing secondary care. When a patient is referred to a specialist for further treatment, they will be provided with the information they need to make a choice about which hospital or clinic appointment is best for them."

She added: "They can then book the appointment there and then, but patients also have the option to take away information about their local hospitals and make their choice later."

There is a range of ways in which patients can get information and book their appointment - including through the new Choose and Book computer system, over the phone, or using the internet.

When a patient leaves the GP surgery they will have either made their choice or know exactly what the next step will be to do so.

Alan Tapsell, chairman of the patient and public involvement forum for Redditch and Bromsgrove, said: "This is excellent news for patients. However, choice will only work to the full if patients exercise their new rights to choose. I hope patients will work with the health professionals to make the best use of this new system."

To give patients more information, a video will be shown in local shopping centres including the Kingfisher Centre, Redditch, during the week starting January 31.