NHS website to boost patient choice (20 June)
The newly-launched £3.6m NHS Choices websitel includes information on issues as varied as waiting times, hospital ratings and general cleanliness.
According to the Department of Heath, it is aimed at helping patients choose where they want to be treated when they need non-emergency surgery.
Ministers also hope that detailed data on clinical outcomes will eventually be published - to date only heart surgeons reveal performance statistics.
The multimedia website has sections giving advice on healthy lifestyles and also allows users to carry out an online health check.
It has detailed information on 40 of the most common diseases and also uses data compiled by the Healthcare Commission on hospital performance, including ratings and MRSA rates.
Read more about it at e-Health Insider.
Or see for yourself at NHS Choices.