Patients are set to be referred directly for some scans and treatment by their GP under new plans to speed up the NHS, the Mirror understands.
The major reforms due to be unveiled on Monday are designed to halve NHS waiting lists and streamline the system with hospitals told to give and interpret tests as well as start treatment for a patient all on the same day.
The NHS Elective Reform Plan will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer, alongside health secretary Wes Streeting, and chief executive of NHS England Amanda Prichard. The Prime Minister will pledge to diagnose and treat 92% of patients within 18 weeks of receiving a GP referral by the end of this parliament which has not been achieved for nearly 10 years.
It is hoped that waiting times can be reduced by taking away the need to see a consultant after your GP for some conditions. And a significant update is being given to the NHS App which will mean that people can book consultations for times that suit them and so this gives more flexibility.
Part of the reforms also aim to see more centres opened up for diagnostics which will also make it easier for patients. A clear benefit of this for the NHS is that through greater flexibility it is expected that it will reduce the number of people who don’t show up to appointments.
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Other moves are being made to make services more helpful and so advice is to be offered to people, such as how to lose weight, while they are waiting for treatment which is expected to aid their recovery. And with many people complaining about the way they are treated, there will be compulsory customer service training for receptionists and administrative workers so that they deal with patients in an understanding manner.
There are an estimated 6.34 million people who were on NHS waiting lists at the end of October according to latest figures and as four in five people come off the list after tests or an outpatient appointment, this figure could be greatly reduced by speeding up the diagnoses.
The types of conditions where GPs can refer patients for treatment and scans with a consultant involved include anything from tinnitus to non-inflammatory bowel issues. Ms Pritchard, said: “While there are too many people waiting unacceptably long for care, NHS staff have made huge progress in bringing down long waits since the pandemic.
“And backed by government investment, alongside our commitment to continue to reform and innovate, we know that staff can significantly reduce waiting times across the country again. With one in nine people in England on a waiting list, we know that there is more we can do to support those who are waiting for crucial tests and procedures.
“By making it easier for people to get timely access to the tests they need alongside direct referrals and same day checks and consultations – this plan will help thousands more people to get a faster diagnosis and quicker treatment or the all clear. This means they can get back to living their lives as soon as possible, with peace of mind that they won’t need further treatment.”
Mr Streeting, said: “As patients, we’ve all experienced the hoops you have to jump through to get the test or scan you and your GP know you need. It’s a waste of patients’ time, delays diagnoses when every minute matters, and means consultants are forced to tick boxes rather than treat patients.
“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.”