NHS England to replace Choose and Book system

NHS England has chosen to replace the Choose and Book electronic booking system from 2016, replacing it with a new system under different technology, the Guardian reports. Choose and Book has cost £356 million since 2004 and will be abandoned because of a drop in its use by both doctors and patients, with many GPs and politicians complaining that the system is confusing and time-consuming. It was also estimated that 1.6 million patients failed to turn up for appointments made under Choose and Book in 2012-13, costing around £225 million. The idea of making the new system compulsory for GPs is also under consideration, with Department of Health Permanent Secretary Una O’ Brien stating that the replacement scheme would have many new features to make it easier to use for patients, including a mobile app.