Release 5.0 brings a series of new and improved features and has been designed to streamline and simplify the booking process for patients and referrers, whilst giving patients a wider range of services to choose from than previous releases.

In addition, developments within the patient-facing Choose and Book website means it is now easier to navigate and use. New instructions for patients explain what to do and how to 'defer' an appointment request to the provider to deal with.

Patients will also be able to notify the clinic when they encounter a problem preventing them from booking an appointment (e.g. if no appointments are available) and express a desire to be contacted and booked into that clinic.

The new release also supports referrers in booking alternative care pathways within Choose and Book. Many of these specialist services would not have previously been displayed on the system.

The referrer will be directed toward the local pathway they need to follow in order for their patient to be seen by these services.

Stephen Miller, Medical Director, Choose and Book Programme, says: "Months of preparation have gone into this release.

"Feedback from earlier versions of Choose and Book has helped us to design a simpler service search screen that is more intuitive and that follows a more logical flow."

To date more than 24 million patient referrals have been made through Choose and Book. This represents around 500,000 referrals a month being made from GP practices to first outpatient services but, importantly, also reflects at least 140,000 additional patient referrals being booked per month to other services, such as those run by Allied Health Professionals, Community Services and Diagnostic Services.

Stephen added: "The improved search functionality makes it even easier and faster for GPs to use Choose and Book themselves during the consultation and to offer meaningful choice to patients. This is when they and their patients will see the most benefits from the system."