DODDINGTON Community Hospital continues to provide excellent services to local people living in March, Chatteris and surrounding villages. It is also attracting more patients from further a field. The Primary Care Trust runs outpatient clinics at Doddingt

DODDINGTON Community Hospital continues to provide excellent services to local people living in March, Chatteris and surrounding villages. It is also attracting more patients from further a field.

The Primary Care Trust runs outpatient clinics at Doddington with visiting consultants from Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals covering most medical and surgical specialties.

Doddington offers a local friendly service, and the waiting times are often shorter than those at district general hospitals.

As shown in the following list, there has been an increase in the number of East Cambs and Fenland patients seen at Doddington in 2005 compared with the same period in 2004, and an increase in the number of patients from other areas:

East Cambs and Fenland patients 2004, 4,795; 2005 4,981

All patients 2004, 4,950; 2005 5454.

From January 2006 patients have a choice of at least four hospitals for outpatient consultations and treatment (for more information on choice see separate article). New technology has been installed at Doddington to run 'Choose and Book'.

Instead of waiting for weeks for an appointment letter, you can now book a convenient date and time for new outpatient appointments on the same day your GP refers you.

This is currently done by telephone, but soon it will be possible for your GP practice to book 'on-line'