New plan to tackle backlogs and speed up care

The government has published a new plan for how it intends to cut waiting lists and shorten the time taken to diagnose serious conditions.

Announced by the Prime Minster, the Elective Reform Plan details an ambitious approach in which health and care will be transformed over the coming years.

Under the plan, patients have been promised that clinical diagnostics and investigations will be accelerated, and that many people will receive a date for their treatment at the same time as their diagnosis.

Key to the government’s plan are community diagnostic centres, which provide services such as endoscopies, X-ray and MRI scans outside of hospital and closer to people’s homes.

These new centres will see their opening hours increase, with the sites also set to operate at weekends.

There are currently three community diagnostic centres up and running in the local region, with facilities located at the Sulis Hospital in Bath, the West Swindon Health Centre and Salisbury Central Health Clinic.

Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive, NHS England, said: “With one in nine people in England on a waiting list, we know there is more we can do to support those who are awaiting 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 either a diagnosis or the all-clear faster.

“Simply put, this is a plan with patients at its heart.”

The plan can be read in full at www.england.nhs.uk/publication/reforming-elective-care-for-patients.