Choose and Book

Requests

I am currently undertaking a research project analysing the uptake of Choose and Book in different locations.  There are statistics on the usage of Choose and Book over time displayed throughout your website and  I would like to analyse the raw data used for these statistics.

I understand some elements of the data are confidential such as names and addresses.  The key variables I wish to analyse are (for each appointment):

• Home location of patient (e.g. town)
  Was the appointment booked through Choose and Book?
  Which hospital was attended?
  Date of referral
  Date of hospital procedure
  Date of test result (if applicable) 

and

Since 2005, I would like information on usage of Choose and Book (percentage of appointments booked through Choose and Book is fine, if accompanied by total number of appointments).  I am aware that is likely that you will only hold data from your establishment in 2006 which should be fine.

 And where possible, any further subdivision of bookings would be helpful, specifically:

• monthly or quarterly data is preferential to annual
  I will need to know which PCT provided treatment – I understand that there is information on this.
  field of procedure eg. Orthopaedic etc. (if possible)

Our Response

I refer to your emails requesting information in respect of Choose and Book data. 

I can confirm in accordance with S.1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) that we do not hold the information that you have requested. 

However, the official figures for the total GP referrals to the first outpatient appointments are already available on the Department of Health website at the following link:-

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/Performancedataandstatistics/HospitalActivityStatistics/DH_077454

Our Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) might hold specialty based data from providers, otherwise, you would need to contact acute providers for the information that you require.  Please follow the link below to our website for provider information contact details. 

 http://www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk/the-local-nhs/nhs-organisations/

I hope that this information is of use.  If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request you can ask us to review our decision by writing to:-

Mr Kevin Orford
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance
NHS East Midlands
Octavia House
Interchange Business Park
Bostock's Lane
Sandiacre
Nottingham
NG10 5QG

If at the conclusion of any review you remain dissatisfied you may complain to the Information Commissioner who can be contacted at:-

The Office of the Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF