A VIDEO telling people more about patient choice in Worcestershire will be shown in shopping centres around the county from this week.

Since the new year, all patients have the right to be offered the choice of at least four hospitals or clinics when they need to see a specialist for further treatment.

A video explaining the Choose and Book system will be played in the Swan Centre, Kidderminster, during this week, at the CrownGate Centre in Worcester during week starting Monday, Jan-uary 16 and the Kingfisher Centre, Redditch, during the week starting on Tuesday, January 31.

Paul Bates, acting chief executive of South Worcester-shire Primary Care Trust, said: "When a patient is referred to a specialist for further treatment, they will be given the information they need to make a choice about which hospital or clinic appointment is best for them.

"They can therefore 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 are a range of ways in which patients can get information and book their ap-pointment - including through the new Choose and Book computer system, over the phone, or using the internet.

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

Alex Stewart-Cleary, chair of the patient and public involvement forum for South Worcestershire, said this is excellent news for patients.

"However, choice will only work to the full if patients exercise their new rights to choose," he added.

Jan Nelson, member of the PCT's professional executive committee and a local health visitor, said:"It will take a little while for everybody to get used to the idea of patient choice. But I am confident that the benefits will be worth it."

"I hope that patients will work with the health professionals to make the best use of this new system."