If it is not possible for the Hospital that you have been referred to, to treat you within 18 Weeks, your Commissioner must find you another provider who can. Your right to treatment within 18 Weeks from referral will include treatments where a Consultant retains overall clinical responsibility for your care. This means the Consultant will not necessarily be physically present for each appointment, but will take overall responsibility for you during your pathway.  

You will be referred to see a Consultant. A Consultant is the title of a senior physician who has completed all their training and been placed on the specialist register in their chosen speciality. Some Consultants lead a team of Clinicians including;

• Speciality Registrars
• Foundation Doctors
• Clinical Assistants
• Clinical Fellows
• Associate Specialists
• Staff Grade Doctors
• Nurse Specialists

Your right to be treated within 18 Weeks will cease to apply in circumstances where:

• You choose to wait longer - You might be taking a holiday within the 18 week period (this is known as patient choice)
• Delaying the start of your treatment is in your best clinical interests - For example, where smoking cessation or weight management is likely to improve the outcome of your treatment
• It is clinically appropriate for your condition to be actively monitored without clinical intervention or diagnostic procedures - For example, you may have a condition whereby you and your Clinician decide to see if it gets worse or better before deciding that surgery is the best course of treatment.
• You fail to attend appointments - Which you had chosen from a set of reasonable options
• The treatment is no longer necessary
• You are added to a transplant waiting list

• You should recognise that you can make a significant contribution to your own and your family’s good health and well-being and take personal responsibility for it.
• You should register with a GP practice – The main point of access to NHS care.
• You should treat NHS staff and other patients with respect and recognise that causing a nuisance or disturbance on NHS premises could result in prosecution.
• You should provide accurate information about your health, condition and status.
• You should keep appointments, or cancel within reasonable time - receiving treatment within the maximum waiting times may be compromised unless you do.

• You should follow the course of treatment which you have agreed, talk to your Clinician if you find this difficult.
• You should participate in important public health programmes such as vaccination.
• You should ensure that those closest to you are aware of your wishes about organ donation.
• You should give feedback, both positive and negative, about the treatment and care you have received, including any adverse reactions you may have had.