Patients book X-rays themselves

Mid Essex Hospitals says it is the first trust in England to allow this.

Tony Cooper, from Braintree, the first patient to use the system, booked the X-ray appointment at St Michael's hospital from his GP's surgery.

Mr Cooper set the preferred time and location for his X-ray rather than having to ring the radiology department for an appointment.

He said: "When my GP told me I needed an X-ray, I was very pleased to be able to book it there and then.

"It saves a lot of time and worry as I could decide a convenient time and place."

Extending system

Richard Hammond, general manager for radiology at Mid Essex Hospitals said: "Initially we have introduced this as a pilot project to ensure the system is working correctly.

"We have released all of our plain film X-ray appointments at St Michael's hospital in Braintree onto the Choose and Book system.

"Currently only GPs in the Braintree area are able to book into this pilot scheme.

"Shortly, we will make available the appointments for plain film X-rays at St Peter's in Maldon and St John's in Chelmsford.

"In the New Year we will extend this and also introduce other diagnostic tests such as barium enemas and ultrasound screening onto the system."

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