Patients referred to consultants for treatment by their GP will be given a choice of six hospitals from the new year.

Under the new scheme, which starts on January 1, patients will also be able to choose the time, date, and place of their appointment.

Along with a choice of their local hospital or five neighbouring ones across the North West, patients will also be given the waiting times for each. In some cases patients will also be able to book transport to get to their elected hospital.

Residents will either book the appointment while at their GP's surgery or will be given a phone number to make the arrangement at a later time.

Health chiefs said one of the main benefits of the system is that residents will be able to check their diary and speak to family and friends to make necessary arrangements before booking a convenient appointment.

The new system will affect the 33,000 people referred to consultants each year in the Preston area, similar numbers are expected from Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust.

The full scale introduction of the choose and book scheme follows on from the pilot of the Booking Management Service (BMS) for cataract surgery, which started more than six months ago.

Choose and book is the corner stone to government reforms of the NHS designed to improve patient choice and care.

It marks a major departure from the previous system where patients were told where and when their appointment would be.

Julie Cornwell, booking service manager, said: "This is a fantastic improvement to patient care as it reduces anxiety and allows patients to plan ahead".

She assured patients that help would be available to anyone needing extra information.

Judith Faux, chief executive, Chorley and South Ribble PCT, added: "Choose and Book will at last enable patients to choose where and when their hospital treatment will be carried out and gives them greater control over their healthcare."

For information visit www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk.