PATIENTS opting for treatment under the new NHS Choose and Book system are to benefit from the appointment of four new consultants at the private Duchy Hospital.

The hospital, based at Treliske, has taken on the specialists in urology, orthopaedics and ophthalmology to meet demand for both private and NHS treatments.

The Choose and Book programme means NHS patients can, where possible, select the specialist and hospital of their choice – including participating private hospitals – with the NHS meeting treatment costs.

The four new consultants are: ● Ophthalmologist Ashish Patwardhan, who deals with diabetic eye diseases, cataract, corneal diseases and glaucoma; ● Orthopaedic surgeon Mike Butler, who specialises in foot and ankle surgery after a career as an army surgeon in conflict zones; ● Urologists Nicholas Munro and Christopher Blake.

Duchy's general manager, Chris Sealey, said: "We're delighted to welcome these four extremely experienced and talented consultants on board. They will help provide extra capacity in key areas to provide patients with the best possible service."

Information on the services available through the programme is available from www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk or from patients' GPs.