The GMB medic, 72, underwent a second hip replacement in a hospital in Birmingham, 180 miles from homeDr Hilary Jones on crutches outside the hospital where he was treated.Dr Hilary Jones on crutches outside the hospital where he was treated.

TV doctor Hilary Jones made a 360-mile round trip for surgery in Birmingham to bypass his local NHS waiting list.

The Good Morning Britain GP, 72, lives in Kent but had a second hip replacement at a Birmingham hospital, 180 miles away, to cut down the wait for treatment.

He spoke of his experience to highlight that others awaiting treatment can do the same thing if they were willing to travel. He NHS Patient Choice to finding a hospital with a shorter waiting list.

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The service grants patients the legal right to select where they receive their NHS healthcare services, which includes hospitals and other service providers. The selection can extend to private hospitals, provided they offer services to the NHS without exceeding the cost of a standard NHS hospital referral.

Jones had his procedure at Practice Plus Group’s new hospital in Birmingham. He said: “It was 180 miles from my home to Birmingham – but as it’s a new hospital and it’s a private hospital that treats NHS patients, they could get me in very quickly just with a referral from my GP.

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat for faster, quality care and highly recommend it. Patient Choice gives people real power – they just need to know it’s there.

“The NHS App is going to be developed further to make this easier, and you can speak to your GP about your choices. You can choose to be referred to a private hospital at the outset, or you can switch hospitals like I did if you’re facing delays locally.

“It’s free for the patient and costs the NHS no more than if that same patient had their op at an NHS hospital. For people like me, who are lucky enough to be mobile despite needing an operation, it makes complete sense to find a hospital that can do your operation sooner so you can get on the road to recovery sooner.

“People don’t want to be on a waiting list. They want to get on with their lives. Every single person who looked after me was amazing and couldn’t have done any more. I am delighted with the result so far.”

A survey of 1,000 adults grappling with chronic discomfort, including those awaiting hip and knee replacements, showed patients needing NHS surgery would consider travelling further afield for quicker surgery.

On average, those surveyed were willing to travel 60 miles for a three-to-four-week wait, or 49 miles for a six-to-eight-week wait.

One in ten said they’d journey over 200 miles if it meant receiving the necessary NHS surgery within a month.

Amongst the respondents, 36 per cent were on waiting lists, with 17 per cent having queued for over a year.

The research was funded by Practice Plus Group hospitals – which serves both NHS and private patients.

Chief executive Jim Easton said: “It’s fantastic for patients that in the NHS ten-year plan, the government has renewed its commitment to using capacity in the private sector and to creating a new patient choice charter to ensure the NHS is receptive and reactive to patient preferences.

“To achieve the ambitious waiting time targets, we also need more people to know that they can travel outside of their immediate area if they find a hospital that can see them sooner.

“It is important people realise they have the power to be proactive and get their treatment sooner, get back to work and back on track as soon as possible. Dr Hilary found this at our Birmingham hospital which currently can see people in a few short weeks.

“We’re proud to have been able to help him and wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.”