Dr Hilary Jones, familiar to viewers of Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, recently underwent a second hip replacement operation by travelling 180 miles from his home in Kent to a hospital in Birmingham. His experience highlights how NHS Patient Choice can help patients avoid lengthy local waiting lists by opting for treatment at alternative hospitals.
At 72, Dr Hilary took advantage of this NHS service, which grants patients the legal right to choose their treatment location—including NHS and approved private hospitals offering NHS-funded care. After discovering a new hospital in the Midlands with virtually no waiting time, he secured a prompt operation at Practice Plus Group’s Birmingham facility.
“The hospital was 180 miles away, but it was a private hospital treating NHS patients and could see me quickly following my GP’s referral,” Dr Hilary explained. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. Patient Choice gives people real power, but they need to know it exists.”
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He added that improvements to the NHS App will soon simplify exploring care options, allowing patients to either choose a private hospital upfront or switch from their local hospital if faced with delays. Importantly, this choice is free to the patient and costs the NHS no more than if the operation had been carried out locally.
“For those like me who are mobile despite needing surgery, travelling to a hospital that can operate sooner is sensible—it gets you on the road to recovery faster,” said Dr Hilary. “Everyone who cared for me was amazing, and I’m delighted with the result.”
Dr Hilary’s story echoes a recent survey of 1,000 adults experiencing chronic pain and awaiting joint replacements. It revealed a strong willingness to travel considerable distances for quicker NHS surgery: participants said they would travel an average of 60 miles to receive treatment within 3–4 weeks, or 49 miles for waits of 6–8 weeks. Notably, 10% would travel over 200 miles to get surgery within a month.
Despite these findings, 55% of respondents were unaware that NHS Patient Choice permits treatment outside their local area, often in private hospitals that provide NHS-funded care and shorter waiting times. Furthermore, 88% believe the option to pick hospitals should be more widely promoted.
Jim Easton, chief executive of Practice Plus Group, commented: “The NHS 10-year plan’s renewed commitment to harnessing private sector capacity and a new patient choice charter are important steps. Patients need to know they can travel outside their local area to get treatment sooner, helping them return to work and normal life quickly. Dr Hilary found this option in Birmingham, where waiting times are currently just weeks. We’re proud to have supported him and wish him a full recovery.”