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 to be unveiled on Monday, hospitals will also be ordered to provide tests, interpret the results and potentially start patients’ therapy the same day.
Bosses hope streamlining the process and removing the need to see a consultant for some conditions will help hit waiting time targets and boost patient satisfaction.
The NHS App will get a major update so users can book diagnostic checks and consultations at a time to suit them, with the experience made to feel more like reserving a table at a restaurant.
Patients will also have a greater choice of times and locations, with plans to open more community diagnostic centres in easy to access locations.
The more flexible booking service is aimed a reducing ‘no shows’, when people fail to turn up because they did not like the slot they were assigned.
Meanwhile, receptionists and waiting list managers will be forced to undergo compulsory ‘customer service training’ so they can respond to queries in a more polite and helpful manner.
Patients will also be offered help to lose weight or quit smoking while waiting for treatment, as non-smokers and those of a healthy weight are more likely to make a successful recovery.
The NHS Elective Reform Plan will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer alongside health secretary Wes Streeting, pictured, and Amanda Prichard, chief executive of NHS England
The NHS App will get a major update so users can book diagnostic checks and consultations at a time to suit them, with the experience made to feel more like reserving a table at a restaurant
The NHS Elective Reform Plan will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer alongside 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 6.34million people were on NHS waiting lists for 7.54 million treatments at the end of October, the latest figures show.
Four in five patients come off the list after a diagnostic test or an outpatient appointment, meaning the list could be drastically reduced by speeding up the diagnosis process.
As a result, millions of patients will get peace of mind or a clear treatment path weeks earlier.
GPs will be able to refer patients for tests, checks and scans without the need to see a consultant first for a limited range of conditions, including including hearing loss and tinnitus, urological conditions, inflammatory and non-inflammatory bowel issues, breathlessness, asthma in children and young people and post-menopausal bleeding.
With some conditions, which are yet to be confirmed, hospitals will conduct tests and scans, interpret the results and offer follow-up consultations the same day.
They will also be given a date on the spot for their treatment to commence, if it cannot happen there and then.
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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.
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‘Our plan for change will cut waiting lists from a maximum of 18 months to 18 weeks by the end of this Parliament.’
Rachel Power, chief executive 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, chief executive of Healthwatch England, said: ‘We welcome this new plan’s focus on better waiting experiences, and not just wait times.’
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: ‘This marks a serious attempt 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, chief executive of NHS England
The NHS Elective Reform Plan will be announced by Sir Keir Starmer alongside health secretary Wes Streeting and Amanda Prichard, chief executive of NHS England, pictured
For 76 years, the NHS has served the nation from cradle to grave.
Whether delivering diagnostic tests or supporting those needing treatment for major health conditions, the health service has constantly adapted to changing needs, harnessing the latest science to provide new and better treatments.
But the pace of change has simply not been able to keep up with the speed with which demand for care has grown.
Before the pandemic, waiting lists were rising due to the challenges set out in Lord Darzi’s important report: a combination of fewer staff, capital starvation and high bed occupancy.
The pandemic inevitably took a huge toll on NHS waiting lists, as it did for systems across the world.
But thanks to the hard work of NHS staff – and despite unprecedented levels of industrial action – significant progress has been made in tackling long waits, with waiting times of more than a year nearly halved.
Despite this, too many people are still waiting too long for the care they need – put simply, latest data on the number of waits over 18 weeks shows we now have over three million reasons to radically reform NHS elective care.
That’s why our upcoming Elective Reform Plan will put patients at its heart to deliver comprehensive change in three key areas: improved waiting times, more convenient access to care, and better patient experience.
We will not only continue to deliver more tests, appointments and operations than ever, but we also need to do things differently – and this plan sets out landmark reforms to improve care for millions.
GPs will be able to directly book patients in for tests for a range of conditions, such as breathlessness and post-menopausal bleeding, without the need to see a consultant first.
We will streamline our services to help avoid patients being dragged from ‘pillar to post’ for the care they need.
For example, instead of having to attend a string of appointments, the NHS will offer a same-day service so thousands more patients can have their follow-up consultation on the same day as their diagnostic test.
To make sure more patients can undergo operations and get the most benefit, we’ll support them to be as prepared as possible, including to lose weight or stop smoking, as we know quitting four weeks before an op can substantially reduce the risk of complications.
All acute hospitals will identify named patients’ experience champions to ensure those on waiting lists are fully informed and supported, and to get the best service from the NHS.
It is nearly a decade since the NHS last met the constitutional standard of treating 92% of patients within 18 weeks, and major change for patients cannot wait.
Through this plan, we are determined not just to significantly cut waiting times once more, but to transform how people then experience care.
Backed by government investment, and driven by the relentless commitment of staff, these NHS reforms will help ensure millions can receive quicker diagnosis and treatment and get back to living their lives as soon as possible.
