Choice of treatment for elective hospital care

From 1 January 2006, patients were offered a choice of treatment, from at least four providers, when they were referred for elective hospital care. This was in line with announcements that had been made in 2003.

Primary care trusts (PCTs) were responsible for selecting the available providers within their local area.

Later expansion 

From May 2006, with the launch of the Extended Choice Network, the list of available providers able to offer services on choose and book was widened to include a national list. This included NHS foundation trusts and independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs). In August 2006, 11 ISTCs were approved to add their services to the national menu of options.

In July 2007, choice was further extended in orthopaedic services. All NHS trusts in England were able to add their orthopaedic services to the national menu of provider options, giving them the same rights as foundation trust providers.

Additional specialities were opened up over the course of 2007/08.