Choosing your hospital - NHS...Choosing your hospital Bedfordshire Primary Care Trust For most...

Choosing your hospitalBedfordshire

Primary Care Trust

For most medical conditions, you can now choose whereand when to have your treatment.

This booklet explains more about choosing your hospital.

You will also find information about the hospitals you canchoose from.

Second editionDecember 2006

Contents

What is patient choice? 1

Making your choice 2

How to use this booklet 3

Where can I have my treatment? 4

Your hospitals A to Z 7

Your questions answered 20

How to book your appointment 22

What do the specialty names mean? 23

What does the healthcare jargon mean? 25

Where can I find more information and support? 27

How do your hospitals score? 28

Hospital score table 32

What is

patient choice?If you and your GP decide that you need to see a specialist for moretreatment, you can now choose where and when to have yourtreatment from a list of hospitals or clinics.

Why has patient choice been introduced?Research has shown that patients want to be more involved in makingdecisions and choosing their healthcare. Most of the patients who areoffered a choice of hospital consider the experience to be positive andvaluable. The NHS is changing to give you more choice and flexibilityin how you are treated.

Your choicesYour local choices are included in this booklet. If you do not want toreceive your treatment at a local hospital, your GP will be able to tellyou about your choices of other hospitals across England.

As well as the hospitals listed in this booklet, your GP may be able tosuggest community-based services, such as GPs with Special Interestsor community clinics. Or, if your GP decides to refer you to a ClinicalAssessment Service and you then need to go to hospital, you will beable to choose from this list of hospitals.

General information 1

Making your choiceIn choosing where to have your outpatient appointment, you will bechoosing where to receive your full treatment, if you need it. This willinclude your initial outpatient appointment and any otherappointments for treatment (for example, inpatient care) or aftercare.

However, if you are not happy with your chosen hospital after youroutpatient appointment, your GP can make you an appointment atanother hospital.

If you need very specialised care, you may need to be referred toanother hospital. You may also be transferred to another specialtyif the hospital doctor feels that this is more appropriate for yourcondition.


How to use this bookletThis booklet includes information about your choice of hospitals.

Use the ‘Where can I have my treatment?’ table on page 4 tofind out which hospitals offer your treatment.You can then find information about individual hospitals. Thisstarts on page 7.You can also find out how your hospital scores against a numberof measures, some of which are patients’ views. Thisinformation starts on page 32.

You will also find other information in this booklet to help you makeyour choice. You can use the 'Contents list' at the beginning of thebooklet to find this information.

You can also find more information on www.nhs.uk

Your local library can help you use the internet to search for moreinformation on choosing your hospital. See the 'Where can I findmore information and support?' page later in this booklet for somewebsite addresses that you can use.


Where can I have my treatment? Use the chart below to check which hospitals provide the service you

need. In addition to the hospitals listed, your GP may be able to refer

you to community-based or other services. Ask him or her what’s

available in your local area. He or she will also advise you if the service

you need is not listed. Specialty name

Hospital provider

Bedford Hospital NHS Trustpage 7

Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHSTrust

page 8Cambridge University Hospitals

NHS Foundation Trustpage 10

East and North HertfordshireNHS Trust

page 11Hinchingbrooke Health Care

NHS Trustpage 13

Kettering General Hospital NHSTrust

page 14Luton and Dunstable Hospital

NHS Foundation Trustpage 15

Hospital information 4

Specialty name

Hospital providerMilton Keynes General Hospital

NHS Trustpage 16

Northampton General HospitalNHS Trust

page 17West Hertfordshire Hospitals

NHS Trustpage 18


To find out more about the hospitals you can choose fromgo to page 7

To find out what these specialties mean go to page 23.

Bedford Hospital NHS Trustwww.bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

The Trust provides a wide range of services from our modern facilities.We specialise in vascular (vein) services and cancer care. We focus onproviding clinical quality and support for patients. As well as ‘Pay andDisplay’ and convenient bus and train links, the hospital offers freedisabled parking, bicycle stores and access by a Park and Ride service.

Bedford Hospital South Wing

Kempston Road,Bedford, Bedfordshire,MK42 9DJTel: 01234 355122

Trains: Bedford. Up to half a mile.Buses:www.stagecoachbus.com/bedford.01604 676060.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trustwww.buckshospitals.nhs.uk

The Trust has a 2005 Healthcare Commission two-star rating and offersservices from three Buckinghamshire hospitals: Wycombe, StokeMandeville and Amersham. Stoke Mandeville has 11 new wards and isan inpatient centre for ophthalmology, plastics and spinal injury. All siteshave outpatient clinics in most specialties. Wycombe has a dedicatedcentre for general surgery, orthopaedics and urology and is the inpatientbase for cardiology.

Amersham Hospital

Whielden Street,Amersham, Buckinghamshire,HP7 0JDTel: 01494 526161

Trains: Amersham. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trustwww.buckshospitals.nhs.uk

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road,Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire,HP21 8ALTel: 01296 315000

Trains: Aylesbury. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Wycombe Hospital

Queen Alexandra Road,High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire,HP11 2TTTel: 01494 526161

Trains: Wycombe. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.

To see how yourhospital scores seepage 28


Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustwww.addenbrookes.org.uk

Located in south Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s offers district generalhospital services and is also a centre for specialist services: organtransplant, cancer, neurosciences, paediatrics and genetics. Ranked inthe Dr Foster Good Hospital Guide (2006) as one of the best performinghospitals and top in the east for patients aged over 50, the Trust is aninternational academic and clinical centre for research and medicaleducation.

Addenbrooke's Hospital

Hills Road,Cambridge, Cambridgeshire,CB2 2QQTel: 01223 245151

Trains: Cambridge. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trustwww.enherts-tr.nhs.uk

The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust manages three hospitals:Hertford County in Hertford, the Lister in Stevenage and the QueenElizabeth II (QEII) in Welwyn Garden City. The Trust also manages theMount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood, in north-west London. TheLister and QEII hospitals provide a wide range of inpatient services.Hertford County provides outpatient services.

Hertford County Hospital

North Road,Hertford, Hertfordshire,SG14 1LPTel: 01438 314333

Trains: Hertford North. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trustwww.enherts-tr.nhs.uk

Lister Hospital

Coreys Mill Lane,Stevenage, Hertfordshire,SG1 4ABTel: 01438 314333

Trains: Stevenage. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Queen Elizabeth II Hospital

Howlands,Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire,AL7 4HQTel: 01438 314333

Trains: Welwyn Garden City. Fourmiles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trustwww.hinchingbrooke.nhs.uk

The Trust provides care to patients from across Cambridgeshire. Openedin 1983, the hospital is purpose-built and enjoys a high level of supportfrom the local community. Recent developments include a £1.2mmedical assessment unit opened in December 2002, a £22m treatmentcentre (October 2005) and a new £6.5m emergency care centre (January2006). Over 90 per cent of our surgery is carried out on a day case basis.

The Huntingdon NHSTreatment Centre

Hichingbrooke Park,Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire,PE29 6NTTel: 01480 416416

Trains: Huntingdon. Less than half amile.Buses: n/aParking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Hinchingbrooke Park,Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire,PE29 6NTTel: 01480 416416

Trains: Huntingdon. Less than half amile.Buses: n/aParking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Kettering General Hospital NHS Trustwww.northamptonshire.nhs.uk/kgh

The Trust offers a wide range of services. We are modernising andexpanding services with the development of a new cardiaccatheterisation unit and day surgery facility. The 2005 HealthcareCommission Patient Satisfaction Survey put us in the top 20 per cent oftrusts in the country in nearly half the categories of inpatient care,including 'being treated with dignity and respect', 'getting clear answersfrom doctors' and 'hospital food'.

Kettering General Hospital

Rothwell Rd,Kettering, Northamptonshire,NN16 8UZTel: 01536 492000

Trains: Kettering. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trustwww.ldh.nhs.uk

The only NHS Foundation Trust in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire andBuckinghamshire, we are committed to improving patients' experience.In 2004, we became the first hospital in England to be selected by theHealth Foundation for our work in improving patient safety. We are oneof three Department of Health pilot areas for improving cancer waitingtimes beyond targets. We are situated at Junction 11 of the M1 andhave 400 parking spaces.

The Luton and DunstableHospital NHS Foundation Trust

Lewsey Road,Luton, Bedfordshire,LU4 0DZTel: 0845 1270127

Trains: Leagrave. One mile.Buses: Arriva. 01582 587000.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trustwww.mkgeneral.nhs.uk

Milton Keynes Hospital is committed to treating you well. We are amodern 500-bed hospital with a three-star rating from the HealthcareCommission in 2005. Situated to the south of the city centre, serving thepeople of Milton Keynes and surrounding areas, we provide a widerange of general hospital services, including day surgery in ourcustom-built treatment centre. You will be assured of a warm welcomeby our friendly staff.

Milton Keynes General Hospital

Standing Way,Eaglestone, Milton Keynes,Buckinghamshire,MK6 5LDTel: 01908 660033

Trains: Milton Keynes Central. Twomiles.Buses: MK Metro. 01908 225100.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


Northampton General Hospital NHS Trustwww.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk

We provide outpatient, inpatient and day surgery services, and we arealso a regional cancer centre, providing specialist services to a widerarea. Recent developments include a new radiotherapy centre; a newcardiology ward, renal (kidney) ward and nuclear medicine centre willopen in early 2008. (Nuclear medicine uses safe, painless, cost-effectivetechniques to image the body and treat disease.)

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville,Northampton,NN1 5BDTel: 01604 634700

Trains: Northampton. One mile.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: Limited on-site parking. Charges apply.


West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trustwww.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk

The Trust has 600 beds at Watford, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans. Itprovides general healthcare and some specialist services, and has closelinks with specialist hospitals such as Harefield and Moorfields. We arepatient-led, understand patients’ needs and expectations, and havestrong partnerships with neighbouring NHS organisations, localauthorities and voluntary groups.

Hemel Hempstead GeneralHospital

Hillfield Road,Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire,HP2 4ADTel: 0845 402 4331

Trains: Hemel Hempstead. Twomiles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.


West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trustwww.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk

St Albans City Hospital

Waverley Road,St. Albans, Hertfordshire,AL3 5PNTel: 0845 402 4330

Trains: St Albans. Three miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.

Watford General Hospital

Vicarage Road,Watford, Hertfordshire,WD18 0HBTel: 0845 402 4332

Trains: Watford Junction. Two miles.Buses: Traveline. 0870 608 2 608.Parking: On-site parking available. Charges apply.



Your questions answered

Is patient choice offered for all medical conditions?A choice of hospital is available for most medical conditions. However,not all hospitals treat every medical condition and some patients mayneed a more specialist service.

What if I don’t want to choose?You do not have to make the decision yourself. If you prefer, your GPcan still make the choice for you and recommend a hospital for yourtreatment.

What if I don’t want to go to a different hospital?You don’t have to. If you would rather visit the hospital that youusually go to, you can make that choice.

Will I have to pay?No, not as an NHS patient. All the hospitals listed provide services toNHS patients. As long as you choose one of the hospitals listed in thisbooklet, you won’t have to pay.


Is there help available for my travel arrangements to get tohospital?If your GP or the person who has referred you decides that you have amedical need for transport, patient transport services should beprovided. You may also have your travel expenses paid through the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme, if you get Jobseeker’s Allowance,Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or Pension Credit, or qualifyunder the low-income scheme.

Where’s best for me?You might want to think about how you will get to hospital or whomight pick you up when your treatment has finished. If you are goingto be in hospital for a while, do you want to be close to family andfriends? You may also want to think about how quickly you want tobe treated. Would you be willing to travel further away if it meant thatyou could be treated quicker? Or you may have a different priority –hospital cleanliness or location, for example. The information in thisbooklet can help you make your choice based on the things thatmatter to you. You can also find more information on www.nhs.uk.


How to book your appointment

What you need to doHow ever you are being referred, your GP or practice team will let youknow what you need to do.

Once you have left your GP practice, you can speak to your localsupport services for more help with choosing your hospital. Theircontact details are on the back page of this booklet.

Using Choose and BookGPs may use a computer system to book your first outpatientappointment. This is called Choose and Book. This system gives youmore control over when you book your appointment. Your GP orpractice team can give you a leaflet called ‘An introduction to Chooseand Book for patients’ that will give you more information.

Without Choose and BookIf your GP is not yet using Choose and Book, he or she will send aletter to your choice of hospital and can also send you a copy. Thehospital will then contact you to make an appointment.


What do the specialty namesmean?Cardiology Heart and blood vessels.

Dermatology Skin, hair and nails.

Ear, nose and throat(ENT)

Ear, nose and throat disorders.

Gastroenterology Digestive system, including the liver, stomach,intestines and oesophagus.

General medicine Non-surgical treatment of diseases of theinternal organs, especially in adults.

General surgery Surgical treatment of abdominal organs, thethyroid gland and hernia.

Gynaecology Organs of the female reproductive system.

Neurology Nervous system, including the brain, spinalcord and nerves.

Ophthalmology Eye disorders, including injuries, infections,tumours and cataracts.

Oral-maxillo surgery Mouth and facial surgery.

Paediatrics Diagnosing, treating and preventing diseasesin children.


Rheumatology Inflammatory diseases of the muscles andjoints, including arthritis.

Trauma andorthopaedics

Musculoskeletal system including bones, jointsand supporting muscles.

Urology Kidneys, urinary, bladder and malereproductive organs.


What does the healthcare jargonmean?What’s an outpatient appointment?An outpatient appointment is when you visit the hospital to see aspecialist who will examine you so that he or she can diagnose whatthe problem is and think about what the best treatment will be.

What’s inpatient treatment?Inpatient treatment is when you go into hospital to have yourtreatment and stay overnight.

What is secondary or tertiary care?When patients are referred by their GP for further treatment, this isknown as secondary care. It usually means being treated by aspecialist in a hospital or a clinic. In some cases, patients may need tosee a clinician with highly specialised knowledge of their condition. This is known as tertiary care.

What are NHS Foundation Trusts?NHS Foundation Trusts are a new type of NHS hospital that are run bylocal managers, staff and members of the public. These trusts havebeen given more freedom than other NHS trusts. However, theyremain within the NHS.


What are NHS Treatment Centres?Some NHS Treatment Centres are run by the NHS and some are run bythe Independent Sector. They both provide treatment to NHS patientswith NHS standards of care. You do not have to pay for treatment ateither type of treatment centre – the cost will be covered by the NHS.

What’s a GP with a Special Interest?Sometimes, rather than going to a hospital or clinic, you may be ableto choose to be treated by a GP with a Special Interest. As well astheir GP qualifications, they have thorough training and experience ina specialist area.

What’s a Clinical Assessment Service?Sometimes, instead of referring you direct to a hospital for anoutpatient appointment, your GP might refer you to a ClinicalAssessment Service. They will assess your condition and will discussthe next stage of your treatment. This assessment may take place inperson or over the phone. Your GP will let you know what you needto do if he or she is referring you to a Clinical Assessment Service.


Where can I find more informationand support?Your GP should be able to give you the answers to some of thequestions you have about your condition.

Or, you can contact NHS Direct. Visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, go toNHS Direct Interactive on digital satellite TV, or call 0845 4647 and askto speak to a health information adviser.

For other healthcare information

www.nhs.uk for an electronic copy of this booklet, to compareindividual hospitals, and other NHS information.

www.healthspace.nhs.uk for a secure place on the internetwhere you can store all your personal health information.

www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk for information on theelectronic booking system that GPs may use to refer you for anoutpatient appointment.

www.healthcarecommission.org.uk for quality andperformance information on hospitals from the independentregulator of healthcare.

www.patientopinion.org.uk, an independent website whereyou can find out what other patients are saying about localhealth services.


How do your hospitals score?The information given in thefollowing tables shows howsome hospitals are doing againstselected measures ofperformance as well as ratingsfrom patient surveys. Theinformation for independentsector hospitals and for NHSTrusts is collected in differentways.

What do the statistics sayabout Independent Sectorhospitals?

These performance indicatorswere collected over six months,from October 2005 to March2006.

Inpatient waiting times

This measures the length of timea patient waits to receivetreatment if they need to beadmitted to hospital. The targetis six months from the time aconsultant decided hospitaltreatment was necessary to thetime of receiving treatment.

Outpatient waiting times

This measures the length of timea patient waits for an

appointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.

Cancelled operations

This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitorsthe number of MRSA bloodinfections recorded. NHS patientstreated at a hospital or treatmentcentre managed by theindependent sector, are testedfor MRSA prior to commencingtreatment. This significantly helpsreduce the risk of passing MRSAto other patients being treated atthe hospital.

What do patients say aboutIndependent Sectorhospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitalsand treatment centres eachconduct Patient SatisfactionSurveys.

The information given in thefollowing tables shows howsome hospitals are doing againstselected measures ofperformance as well as ratingsfrom patient surveys. Theinformation for independentsector hospitals and for NHSTrusts is collected in differentways.

What do the statistics sayabout Independent Sectorhospitals?

These performance indicatorswere collected over six months,from October 2005 to March2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for an

appointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away).

MRSA infection

This indicator closely monitorsthe number of MRSA bloodinfections recorded. NHS patientstreated at a hospital or treatmentcentre managed by theindependent sector, are testedfor MRSA prior to commencingtreatment. This significantly helpsreduce the risk of passing MRSAto other patients being treated atthe hospital.

What do patients say aboutIndependent Sectorhospitals?

The Independent Sector hospitalsand treatment centres eachconduct Patient SatisfactionSurveys.

Hospital performance information 28

The following indicators arebased on the responses to thesesurveys.

Clinical relationships

Patients treated at the hospitalare asked to comment on theway they felt they were treatedby the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment onwhether they found the hospitalwards and toilets to be clean.Patients are also asked to expressan overall view on the cleanlinessof the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be

Patients are asked to commenton whether they felt welcomedto the hospital, whether theenvironment was pleasant,friendly and warm and whetherthe care they received helpedthem to feel comfortable.

Overall patientsatisfaction

This indicates patients’ overallimpressions about the treatmentand care they received at thehospital.

The following indicators arebased on the responses to thesesurveys.

Clinical relationships

Patients treated at the hospitalare asked to comment on theway they felt they were treatedby the nursing staff and doctors.

Hospital cleanliness

This asks patients to comment onwhether they found the hospitalwards and toilets to be clean.Patients are also asked to expressan overall view on the cleanlinessof the hospital.

Warm, friendly place to be

Patients are asked to commenton whether they felt welcomedto the hospital, whether theenvironment was pleasant,friendly and warm and whetherthe care they received helpedthem to feel comfortable.

Overall patientsatisfaction

This indicates patients’ overallimpressions about the treatmentand care they received at thehospital.


What do the statistics sayabout NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the yearending 31st March 2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for anappointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away) andfor which a new date was notoffered within 28 days of theoriginal date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number ofMRSA blood infections recordedand whether the hospitalreduced the rates compared withthe previous year in line with theplanned number of reductions.

What do patients say aboutNHS hospitals?

A national survey of patientsreceiving treatment at NHS Trustswas conducted in 2005. Thecolumns include results fromquestions that asked about:

Building closerrelationships

Patients were asked whether theycould understand the answerswhich doctors and nurses gavethem to their questions andwhether they felt that a doctor ornurse talked in front of them as ifthey weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable,friendly place to be

This survey asked whetherpatients felt bothered by noise atnight, their opinion on how cleanthe room or ward was, how they

What do the statistics sayabout NHS hospitals?

The measures cover the yearending 31st March 2006.




This measures the length of timea patient waits for anappointment following a referralfrom their GP. The target is 13weeks from the time the hospitalreceives the letter.


This measures the number ofoperations which had to becancelled for non-clinical reasons(i.e. equipment out of action, nobed available or staff away) andfor which a new date was notoffered within 28 days of theoriginal date.

MRSA infection

This measures the number ofMRSA blood infections recordedand whether the hospitalreduced the rates compared withthe previous year in line with theplanned number of reductions.

What do patients say aboutNHS hospitals?

A national survey of patientsreceiving treatment at NHS Trustswas conducted in 2005. Thecolumns include results fromquestions that asked about:

Building closerrelationships

Patients were asked whether theycould understand the answerswhich doctors and nurses gavethem to their questions andwhether they felt that a doctor ornurse talked in front of them as ifthey weren’t there.

Clean, comfortable,friendly place to be

This survey asked whetherpatients felt bothered by noise atnight, their opinion on how cleanthe room or ward was, how they


rated the food, whether theywere given enough privacy whenbeing examined, whether theyfelt enough was done to controltheir pain and whether they weretreated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality,co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether theyfelt they were given conflictinginformation from staff, how longit took to be discharged andwhether they were given adviceabout any possible problems towatch out for when they wenthome.

Better information,more choice

This survey asked patientswhether they felt they wereinvolved as much as they wantedto be in decisions about theircare and treatment, if staffexplained about the medicinesthey were to take at home in away they understood and if theywere told about the possible sideeffects of that medication.

rated the food, whether theywere given enough privacy whenbeing examined, whether theyfelt enough was done to controltheir pain and whether they weretreated with dignity and respect.

Safe, high-quality,co-ordinated care

Patients were asked whether theyfelt they were given conflictinginformation from staff, how longit took to be discharged andwhether they were given adviceabout any possible problems towatch out for when they wenthome.

Better information,more choice

This survey asked patientswhether they felt they wereinvolved as much as they wantedto be in decisions about theircare and treatment, if staffexplained about the medicinesthey were to take at home in away they understood and if theywere told about the possible sideeffects of that medication.


Hospital score tableThese tables show how your hospitals score against a number of measures, some of which arepatients' views. For more information on what the measures mean, see 'How do your hospitalsscore?'.

The indicators for independent and NHS hospitals are in separate tables because the informationcomes from different sources, and the definitions and time-periods covered are slightly different.For example, a '3' score for an independent hospital is not directly comparable with a '3' scorefor an NHS hospital, although both will be good quality.

Performanceinformation Patients' views

Bedford Hospital NHS Trustpage 7

Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trustpage 8

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustpage 10

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trustpage 11

Performance information Patients' views

Achieved target >90 out of 100

Underachieved 80-90 out of 100

Failed <80 out of 100

Data not available Data not available

Performanceinformation Patients' views

Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trustpage 13

Kettering General Hospital NHS Trustpage 14

Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trustpage 15

Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trustpage 16

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trustpage 17

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trustpage 18

For full details of how the scores were calculated please go to

www.nhs.uk/documents/choice/indicators.pdf

For confidential support with choosing your hospital,contact:

Patient Choice Advisor, Patient Advice and LiaisonBedford Primary Care TrustGilbert Hitchcock House21 Kimbolton RoadBedfordMK40 2AW

Tel: 01234 795714Website: www.bedfordpct.nhs.uk

Other formatsYou can get this booklet in other formats (for example, in otherlanguages, on audio tape, in Braille, in British Sign Language, ineasy-to-read print and in large print). Please contact your GP practiceteam for a printed copy. For an electronic copy, please go towww.nhs.uk

The general information in this booklet has gained Plain EnglishCampaign's Crystal Mark for clarity, meaning that it is as easy to readas possible.

Please note that the information was correct at the time of printing.

276033/009© Crown copyright 2006 1p Dec 06 (BEL)

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