REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid have insisted “patient choice must come first” after it was revealed that University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) was refusing to accept referrals from GPs outside of its own catchment area.

At the end of August the trust wrote to the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) advising them that it would no longer accept referrals into three clinical specialities (pain, dermatology and general surgery) from GPs outside the boundary of the trust.

It emerged that due to problems with demand UHB, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, was refusing to accept referrals for a three month period.

The MPs took immediate action to make sure concerned patients received the choice of care they are entitled to.

They have now managed to secure a personal assurance from the Minister for Health, Dr Daniel Poulter MP, that he will act to protect Worcestershire patients’ rights to choose where they go for their first outpatient appointment.

The Department of Health and Monitor is now looking into the issue.

The MPs said they are committed to ensuring that the actions by both of these bodies brings resolution for local patients.

Mrs Lumley said: “This is a concerning situation for Redditch and Bromsgrove patients.

"As local MPs we are working hard to secure immediate action and an enquiry by the independent Monitor to make sure this situation is resolved as quickly and as fairly as possible.

"I am pleased that legal experts are now looking into commissioning contracts to ensure that all local residents receive the choice of care they are entitled to from our NHS."

MP for Bromsgrove and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Mr Javid added: “Patient choice must come first.

"This is a legal right and set out in the NHS Constitution. We immediately contacted the Minister for Health to resolve this difficult situation, and have been personally assured that action is now being taken by the independent NHS regulator.

"We are clear that Bromsgrove and Redditch patients’ choice cannot be compromised."

Dr Daniel Poulter said: “I was pleased to discuss this with Sajid and Karen when they raised it with me on behalf of their constituents. The Government is aware of the decision by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

"It is right that Monitor is leading on resolving this, as the sector regulator for health services.

"However, I am personally keeping a close eye on developments and am committed to finding a solution, as quickly as possible, that protects patients’ legal rights to exercise choice."