Major reforms to GP and NHS services will halve waiting lists… starting on MONDAY
GPs will be told to refer patients directly for scans and treatment in a bid to speed up care and halve NHS waiting lists, MailOnline can reveal.
Under major reforms set to be unveiled on Monday, hospitals will also be ordered to carry out tests, interpret results and potentially start treating patients the same day.
Bosses hope streamlining the process and removing the need to consult a consultant for certain conditions will help achieve waiting time targets and increase patient satisfaction.
The NHS app is getting a major update, allowing users to book diagnostic checks and consultations at a time that suits them, making the experience more like booking a table at a restaurant.
Patients will also have a greater choice of times and locations, with plans to open more community diagnostic centers in easily accessible locations.
The more flexible booking service aims to reduce the number of no-shows, where people don’t show up because they don’t like the allocated time.
Meanwhile, receptionists and waiting list managers will be required to undergo mandatory ‘customer service training’ so they can respond to queries more politely and helpfully.
Patients will also receive help losing weight or quitting smoking while waiting for treatment, as non-smokers and people with a healthy weight have a greater chance of a successful recovery.
The NHS Elective Reform Plan will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer together with Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) and Amanda Prichard, chief executive of NHS England
The NHS app is getting a major update, allowing users to book diagnostic checks and consultations at a time that suits them, making the experience more like booking a table in a restaurant
The NHS Elective Reform Plan will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer, together with Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Amanda Prichard, chief executive of NHS England.
The Prime Minister will pledge to diagnose and treat 92 per cent of patients within 18 weeks of receiving a referral from a GP by the end of this parliament – a target that has not been met for almost a decade.
An estimated 6.34 million people were on the NHS waiting list for 7.54 million treatments at the end of October, according to the latest figures.
Four out of five patients disappear from the list after a diagnostic test or an outpatient appointment. This means that the list can be drastically shortened by speeding up the diagnosis process.
The result is that millions of patients receive peace of mind or a clear treatment path weeks sooner.
GPs will be able to refer patients for tests, checks and scans without having to consult a doctor first for a limited number of conditions, including hearing loss and tinnitus, urological conditions, inflammatory and non-inflammatory bowel problems, shortness of breath, asthma. children and adolescents and postmenopausal bleeding.
Under certain circumstances, which have yet to be confirmed, hospitals will conduct tests and scans, interpret the results and offer same-day follow-up consultations.
They will also receive a date on site on which their treatment will start, if that is not possible on site.
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Ms Pritchard said: ‘While too many people are waiting unacceptably long times for care, NHS staff have made huge progress in reducing long waiting times since the pandemic.
‘And backed by government investment, alongside our commitment to continue to reform and innovate, we know that staff can once again significantly reduce waiting times across the country.
‘With one in nine people in England on a waiting list, we know we can do more to support those waiting for crucial tests and procedures.
‘By making it easier for people to get timely access to the tests they need, in addition to direct referrals and same-day checks and consultations, this plan will help thousands more people get a faster diagnosis, faster treatment or get the all clear to make.
‘This means they can resume their lives as quickly as possible, with the certainty that they will not need any further treatment.’
Mr Streeting said: ‘As patients we have all experienced the hoops you have to jump through to get the test or scan you and your GP know you need.
‘It wastes patients’ time, delays diagnosis when every minute counts, and means consultants are forced to tick boxes rather than treat patients.
‘The reforms we are announcing next week will speed up diagnoses and free up NHS staff to treat more patients.
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‘Our change plan will reduce waiting lists from a maximum of 18 months to 18 weeks by the end of this Parliament.’
Rachel Power, CEO of the Patients Association, said: ‘We welcome these ambitious reforms to speed up diagnosis and treatment for patients.
‘We look forward to working with NHS England to deliver these vital improvements in both access to care and patients’ ability to make informed choices about their treatment journey.’
Louise Ansari, CEO of Healthwatch England, said: ‘We welcome this new plan’s focus on better waiting experiences, and not just on waiting times.’
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: ‘This marks a serious effort to reduce waiting lists in a more sustainable way.’
Too many people are still waiting too long for the care they need… this is going to change
by Amanda Pritchard, CEO of NHS England
The NHS Elective Reform Plan will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer together with Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Amanda Prichard, CEO of NHS England, pictured
For 76 years, the NHS has served the country from cradle to grave.
Whether providing diagnostic tests or supporting people in need of treatment for serious health conditions, the healthcare industry has continually adapted to changing needs and uses the latest science to provide new and better treatments.
But the pace of change simply has not kept pace with the speed at which demand for care has grown.
Before the pandemic, waiting lists were rising due to the challenges outlined in Lord Darzi’s landmark report: a combination of fewer staff, lack of capital and high bed occupancy.
The pandemic inevitably took a huge toll on NHS waiting lists, as well as systems around the world.
But thanks to the hard work of NHS staff – and despite unprecedented industrial action – significant progress has been made in tackling long waiting times, with waiting times of more than a year almost halved.
Despite this, too many people are still waiting too long for the care they need – put simply, the latest data on 18-week waiting times shows we now have more than three million reasons to radically reform NHS elective care .
That’s why our upcoming choice reform plan will put patients at the center to drive comprehensive change in three key areas: improved wait times, easier access to care, and a better patient experience.
Not only will we continue to perform more tests, appointments and surgeries than ever, but we also need to do things differently – and this plan includes groundbreaking reforms to improve care for millions of people.
GPs can book patients directly for tests for a range of conditions, such as shortness of breath and postmenopausal bleeding, without having to consult a doctor first.
We will streamline our services to prevent patients from being dragged from ‘pillar to pillar’ for the care they need.
For example, instead of having to attend a series of appointments, the NHS will offer a same-day service so that thousands of additional patients can have their follow-up consultation on the same day as their diagnostic test.
To ensure that more patients can undergo surgery and get the most benefit from it, we support them to be as prepared as possible, including losing weight or quitting smoking. We know that stopping four weeks before an operation can significantly reduce the risk of complications. .
All acute hospitals will identify appointed patient experience champions to ensure those on waiting lists are fully informed and supported, and to receive the best service from the NHS.
It’s almost a decade since the NHS last met the constitutional standard of treating 92% of patients within 18 weeks, and big changes for patients can’t wait.
With this plan, we are determined to not only significantly reduce waiting times again, but also transform the way people experience care.
Backed by government investment and driven by the relentless commitment of staff, these NHS reforms will ensure that millions of people can receive faster diagnosis and treatment and get back to living their lives as quickly as possible.