Britain's best hospitals: A patients' guide

Every doctor is aware of that the a decent doctor in an exceedingly in a very good hospital is to raise an specialist. They are the shadowy figures, always gift throughout operations, along a grandstand view of the act, able to assess the stableness of the surgeon's hand, the skill of his team – and whether or not the patient leaves theatre alive.

Most of us don't have access to the current very important info  and in that lies the matter with what politicians decision "patient choice". If you don't have the knowledge, how will you choose?

From 1 Apr, NHS patients will have additional selection than ever: the right to travel any hospital in European nation, NHS or non-public (as long as the private hospital will give care at the NHS tariff), to secure better treatment.

 They accuse the Government of a policy of divide and systematically, setting hospital against hospital,Doctors don't like it encouraging hostility that could endanger the losers and overwhelm the winners, destabilising the NHS and depressing morale.

Managers, however, think this doom-laden state of affairs is overdone, and that in practice few patients can travel long distances, preferring the convenience of local hospitals. Those with rare conditions, comprising maybe  five per cent of all hospital patients, can contemplate going more in order to urge specialist care.

It is on it basis that The Independent has needed a listing of the ten best specialist hospitals in European nation. They are at the leading edge of analysis and supply the very best standards of look after patients United Nations agency need treatment in their specialist areas, and intend to cash in of the new right to settle on their hospital.

Each is the leader in its field, providing training to doctors United Nations agency carry their experience across the NHS. They are the benchmark establishments for high-quality care, and to which specialists in the field draw a bead on. All 10 ar in or close to London Associate in Nursing accident of history that reflects the capital's ability to attract wealth and therefore the professions to service it. Similar specialist institutions in alternative components of the country ar listed as well.

The list is intended as Associate in Nursing aid to patients United Nations agency is also in want of specialist care and marvel wherever to travel. In practice, for most routine procedures  hip replacements, hernia repairs – the native district general hospital can give a utterly smart service. These operations are common enough for native surgeons to build up experience and deliver outcomes to match with the most effective.

For rare or complex conditions, although, it is important to hunt out centres with the expertise to supply safe, expert care. A surgeon United Nations agency will two hundred operations a year, of whatever kind, will on balance be safer than one United Nations agency will twenty.

Whatever treatment you need, our list should be the starting of the search. Patients making a selection ought to scan the internet for info, starting with patient organisations such as Cancerbacup, who supply recommendation and support. The British Liver Trust next month publishes a guide to the country's 31 specialist liver units, including names of leading clinicians, to help patients select. Where it leads, others are seemingly to follow.