Patients in South Norfolk can now access health services closer to home and experience potentially shorter waiting times thanks to an innovative campaign developed by the organisation responsible for buying and planning healthcare in the area. 

Under the NHS Constitution 2013, patients have the right to access information about services that may be available for them locally. As part of a drive to improve patient choice and the accessibility of this information, NHS South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (SN CCG) is raising awareness of a range of services being provided in community-based locations for patients living in the district.

Procedures – such as endoscopies, where the inside of your body is examined internally using an endoscope, audiology services and ultrasound scans – are being provided at locations that may be more accessible to patients and have potentially shorter waiting times, as well as meeting national patient quality and safety standards.

SN CCG has developed a fortnightly-updated information sheet for patients and clinicians outlining the range of local providers, where services are being offered, and an indicative wait period for procedures. The sheet can be found on the organisation’s website www.southnorfolkccg.nhs.uk by clicking on Local Services followed by Patient Choice.

The CCG has developed the campaign in response to clinical interest in improving the experience of patients living in South Norfolk, and is encouraging patients to access and discuss this information with their GPs.

Chair of South Norfolk CCG Dr Jon Bryson comments: “The CCG has developed this innovative campaign by working closely with clinicians, providers and patients in our locality. Most importantly, we are promoting this information as part of our commitment to improving patients’ choice regarding where and when they receive care, with continual emphasis on developing and improving this information.”