NHS PLEDGE
Patients will be able to access NHS tests seven days a week in their local area, vows Sir Keir Starmer
Same day tests and consultations will also be expanded as well as improvements to the NHS app to streamline care
PATIENTS will be able to access NHS tests 12 hours a day, seven days a week in their local area, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged.
As part of the PM’s mission to reduce the wait for treatment to 18 weeks, he has pledged millions more appointments and streamlined diagnostics processes.
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And ministers will unveil new neighbourhood hubs for a range of testing rather than sending the sick to hospital.
Same day tests and consultations will also be expanded as well as improvements to the NHS app to streamline care.
GPs will also be able to direct patients straight to diagnostic testing, skipping out an appointment with a specialist to speed up the process.
Starmer said "convenience in care" would be the new direction, with a focus on making things easier and faster for patients, while reducing admin for NHS staff.
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This government will pull every lever available to get patients treated on time again
Wes Streeting
Speaking in Surrey today, the PM said: “NHS backlogs have ballooned in recent years, leaving millions of patients languishing on waiting lists, often in pain or fear.
“Lives on hold.
“Potential unfulfilled.
“This elective reform plan will deliver on our promise to end the backlogs.
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“Millions more appointments.
“Greater choice and convenience for patients.
“Staff once again able to give the standard of care they desperately want to.
“This is a key plank of our Plan for Change, which will drive growth that puts more money in people’s pockets, secures our borders and makes the NHS fit for the future so what working people live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives.”
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He added: "When it comes to things like diagnostic centres, we want to go further and faster, so have more of them and have them operating, seven days a week, 12 hours a day, making much more use of technology and AI."
The PM said longer opening hours and embracing technology would slash needless delays and unnecessary phone calls and follow-ups.
The NHS app will be updated so that people can book tests and get their results quickly online, instead of waiting for the hospital to contact them.
New private sector deal to bust backlog
Under plans unveiled in a speech in Epsom in Surrey this morning, he said private hospitals will be used more to treat NHS patients.
More money will be thrown at the paid sector to clear patient backlogs for small specialist clinics which often have longer waits.
More gynaecology and orthopaedic work will be contracted out and patients in poorer areas will be encouraged more to use private clinics.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Millions of patients are being forced to wait unacceptably long for treatment.
“This government will pull every lever available to get patients treated on time again.
“I’m not going to allow working people to wait longer than is necessary, when we can get them treated sooner in a private hospital, paid for by the NHS.
“If the wealthy can be treated on time, then so should NHS patients.”
The Health Secretary has warned the NHS risks going to the wall “like Woolies” without drastic reform.
Wes Streeting’s warning comes as Sir Keir prepared his first speech of the year on using tech to drive down waiting lists.
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He said the new Elective Reform Plan unveiled today will show how the government will hit its “mission” to hit the 18 week target for all patients by the next election.
The Government has pledged to return to treating 92 per cent of non-urgent patients within 18 weeks - a target that has not been met for years.
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