UK plan to cut NHS waiting lists will see millions receive faster diagnosis and treatment

London: The UK announced plans to cut waiting lists for elective treatments by the National Health Service as the Labour government seeks to deliver on key promises after a rocky first six months in power.

The plan will allow patients with certain conditions to receive referrals from general practitioners for tests, checks and scans without the need to see a specialist first, the NHS said in a Saturday statement. The goal is to offer more patients a faster diagnosis and follow-up consultations on the same day as their test or scan, it said.

More exclusive treatment capacity would also be preserved from the demands of seasonal illnesses and future pandemics, the NHS said.

Under the plan, “millions of people will receive quicker diagnosis and treatment to deliver routine care to nine in ten patients within 18 weeks,” it said.

Saturday’s announcement taps into Labour’s pledge to repair the NHS, which is creaking under the weight of funding constraints and an aging population. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to start delivering for the British public as opinion polls show widespread dissatisfaction with his administration following a raft of unpopular decisions and criticisms. On Monday, he’s due to give what aides describe as a “speechette,” providing more detail on how he intends to meet the 18-week waiting time target.

The government will also overhaul the NHS App to allow patients to choose providers, book appointments and receive test results all via one platform. Just 8 per cent of bookings following a referral are currently being made via the app or via the referral website, according to a statement from the Department of Health and Social Care.

“Our plan will reform the NHS, so patients are fully informed every step of the way through their care, they are given proper choice to go to a different provider for a shorter wait, and put in control of their own healthcare,” Health Secretary Wes Streeting said.

“The reforms we’re announcing next week will speed up diagnoses and free up NHS staff to treat more patients.

“Our plan for change will cut waiting lists from a maximum of 18 months to 18 weeks by the end of this Parliament.”

At the heart of the plan is a new gold standard retail offer with compulsory ‘customer service’ training for non-clinical frontline staff like receptionists, and all acute hospitals must have a named patients’ experience champion so those on the waiting list are kept fully up to date and supported with any wait for care.