A NEW book and go scheme will give patients faster access to hospital appointments in the Leigh area.

The Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust has launched a booked admissions scheme working with 10 pilot GP practices and outpatients' clinics across the borough.

And it means consultation to finding a hospital date will happen within 24 hours.

Doctors from chosen surgeries will be able to arrange appointments for patients to attend hospital, either as an outpatient or daycase patient.

The Trust will then make contact with the patient on the same day and mutually agree a date for attendance.

Mr Alan Johnstone, booked admissions manager, said: "The Trust's goal is to make access to hospital services much easier and faster.

"By doing so we aim to reduce our waiting lists, give patients more say and improve the quality of services."

Initially appointments will be achieved via a manual based system, however ultimately the GP will be able to use his desktop PC to book appointments at the hospital on line.

There will be a limited number of specialities involved, but by 2005 the government has directed that all appointments will be booked in this way.

The new services are expected to have touched the lives of over 11,000 patients by March 2002 in specialities such as gynaecology, gastroenterology, opthalmology, oral surgery and urology.

For more information write to Booked Admissions Project Office, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 2NN or ring 822364.