As part of the drive to reduce elective waiting lists, NHS trusts are now proactively contacting patients who have been waiting over 40 weeks*, and do not have an appointment date within the next eight weeks, to consider their options to see if they could be seen sooner at a different hospital. (*some clinical exclusions apply).
The alterative choice programme or Patient Initiated Digital Mutual Aid System (PIDMAS) went live at the end of October 2023.
Eligible patients will be provided with more information in regards to the process when they are contacted.
While many patients may be deemed eligible and appropriate, there may not always be alternative capacity to allow a move in all circumstances. Also, some patients may be deemed clinically inappropriate to move due to health reasons.
If you are eligible, you will receive a SMS and/or letter with the option to opt in, from Tuesday 31 October 2023.