Establishing which factors patients value when selecting urology outpatient care

Cleanliness and hygiene standards within a hospital are increasingly important to patients with the rise in hospital acquired infections, heightened by a high level of media interest in hospital hygiene. The behaviour of patients in choosing where and when and by whom they want their health care will clearly have an impact on waiting times, although the true impact of this is as yet difficult to establish. With respect to urology, this may affect the choice of hospital as well as the treating urology consultant. For patients to make these choices they will need more information about their options and General Practitioners will need to provide appropriate guidance.