Table 3.

Weighted respondents' reported reasons for choice of hospital by specialty category, gender, education, employment and age.

Respondents' characteristics		Short distance	GP's recommendation	Waiting time	Patient's experience	Other reasons	Friends' experience	Family's experience	Media reports
Specialty	Surgical	40	23	30****	21	11	10*	7	2
	Medical	50	27	14****	22	16	4*	4	4
Gender	Female	47*	26	19**	25*	15	8	6	2
	Male	37*	22	33**	16*	10	5	6	3
Education	None/very short	35	25	23	23	10*	9	7	1
	Short	47	24	22	17	12*	7	5	1
	Medium/long	42	24	25	24	21*	8	5	5
Employment	In employment	43	25	23	17*	16	5	5	2
	Other	43	23	26	27*	11	9	6	4
Age (years)	0-60	44	25	22	19	17**	6	5	3
	61+	43	22	28	27	7**	9	7	2
Total		44	24	24	22	13	7	5	3

*: p < 0.05; **: p < 0.01; ****: p < 0.001

Respondents could state more than one reason for choice.