About Nhs Hospital Services

You'll usually need a GP referral to access hospital treatment, except in an emergency.

Is hospital care free on the NHS?

Hospital treatment is free if you're ordinarily resident in the UK.

If you're visiting England or recently moved to England, look up the relevant information about accessing the NHS, as charges may occur.

The following services and treatments are free to all in NHS hospitals in England, including overseas visitors:

• A&E services - but not emergency treatment once you've been admitted to hospital
• family planning services - but not termination of pregnancy or infertility treatment
• treatment for most infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• treatment required for a physical or mental condition caused by torture, female genital mutilation, domestic violence or sexual violence - this does not apply if you've come to England for this treatment unless you've applied for, or have been granted, asylum status

Choosing a hospital or consultant

If you're referred for your first outpatient appointment, in most cases you've the right to choose which hospital in England to go to.

This will include many private and NHS hospitals that provide services to the NHS.

You're also able to choose which consultant-led team will be in charge of your treatment, as long as that team provides the treatment you require.

If you wish to be treated by a particular consultant for a procedure, you can choose to have your first outpatient appointment at the hospital where the consultant works and be treated by that consultant's team.

But this does not necessarily mean you'll be seen by the consultant themselves.

This choice is a legal right. If you're not offered a choice at the point of referral, ask your doctor why and say that you wish to go through your options.

If you're still not offered a choice or are refused, contact your local integrated care board (ICB). ICBs are NHS bodies responsible for the planning and commissioning of health care services for your local area.

Find your local integrated care board (ICB)

If a GP wants to refer you for a service or treatment that they think is best for you but is not routinely offered by the NHS, the process is different.

The GP will have to submit an Individual Funding Request (IFR) to your ICB and provide details of where they want you to go.

ICBs will publish information about individual funding requests on their website.

You do not have a legal right to choice if:

• you need urgent or emergency treatment
• you're serving in the armed forces
• you're accessing maternity services
• you're detained under the Mental Health Act
• you're detained in or on temporary release from prison, in court, an immigration removal centre or a secure children's home
• you're referred to high-security psychiatric services or drug and alcohol misuse services provided by local authorities

Visit GOV.UK to read more about your legal rights to choice in the NHS

How the NHS website can help you choose

Use the services near you search tool to find your nearest hospital.

You can find out about each hospital, including what other patients have said about the hospital. You can also leave your own feedback.

Simply select the "Leave review" option provided on each hospital profile to record your experiences about the treatment you received.

How to book your appointment

Once you've decided on a hospital, you can book your first outpatient appointment using the NHS e-Referral Service.

How long do I have to wait for my appointment?

If your referral is for non-urgent care, you've the right to start treatment led by a consultant within 18 weeks of being referred, unless you want to wait longer or waiting longer is clinically right for you.

Find out more about waiting times

Letters about your care

When doctors write to each other about your care, they should give you a copy of their letters or emails.

If you do not get a copy, you can ask for one.

Sexual Health Advice

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• The MenB vaccine that helps protect against gonorrhoea
• Sexual Health - Mpox and its dangers for Gay Men
• What happens when you visit an STI Clinic
• Ejaculation issues are common sexual problems in men
• The Male Menopause for men in their late 40s to early 50s
• Help and care if you have been Sexually Assaulted
• Mental health issues and self-harm are common amongst gay men