POLITICS: Now Book Hospital Treatment Online

Beginning of article

A patient website aimed at promoting choice in NHS care was unveiled by Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt today.

NHS Choices, which will go live this summer, will act as a "super site" with details on conditions and access to treatment.

Patients will be able to book hospital appointments from the comfort of their own home by simply using a booking reference number.

The website will also draw together magazine-style content and hospital data for things like waiting times and MRSA.

Multi-media guides on the 40 most common NHS procedures will go live together with information previously only available to clinicians.

Ms Hewitt also announced …