Dave Robertson backs huge plans to slash NHS waiting lists

Lichfield MP Dave Robertson has pledged his support for plans to free up millions more appointments in an effort to dramatically cut waiting lists.  

Today, the Prime Minister announced several measures which will give patients more choice over the care they receive and massively increase the number of appointments available.  

Among the measures announced today were: 

• Up to half a million more appointments made available each year thanks to greater access to Community Diagnostic Centres and new or expanded surgical hubs.  

• Greater patient choice over follow-up care as part of a drive to open-up one million appointments, alongside better use of technology and other action to save another million missed appointments.  

• Preventing unnecessary referrals. GPs will be funded to work with hospital doctors to get specialist advice before making referrals, so that more patients get the care they need without being referred onto the waiting list. 

Speaking about today’s announcement, Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages, said: “For too long patients in Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages have been let down, stuck on NHS waiting lists, unable to get the care and support they so desperately need. 

“These plans are a huge step in the right direction and will ensure waiting lists fall. Currently, too many patients face long waits for appointments or surgeries and may be referred to hospitals they don’t choose at inconvenient times, while appointments and staff time are being lost to inefficiencies or inconsistencies in care. 

“The government’s plan to provide millions more appointments and expand the use of Community Diagnostic Centres, will allow more people to access tests and checks while going about their daily lives. 

“This Elective Reform Plan will end the backlogs and ensure our NHS is fit for the future.” 

Tackling the 7.5 million strong waiting list inherited by the new Labour government so that the NHS once again meets the 18-week standard for planned treatment is a key milestone for the government.

Restoring this standard will mean millions of patients no longer have to have their lives put on hold.  

The Elective Reform Plan, published today by NHS England, sets out an approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target before the next election.  

As well as expanding the use of Community Diagnostic Centres, the NHS will also increase the number of surgical hubs, which help protect planned care from the impact of seasonal and other pressures.  

This plan follows the announcement of two million extra appointments per year, equivalent to 40,000 every week, in the budget.  

The goal of these reforms is to put patients first, harness technology to support staff and help the NHS to do things more efficiently. 

Other steps announced today: 

• Using the NHS app to give patients greater choice and control over their treatment.  

• Making more appointments available in the community instead of hospitals.  

• Driving up patient experience through a set of national standards for elective care. The government will publish minimum standards that patients should expect to experience in elective care, including giving patients a shortlist of providers to choose from and clarity on how long they are likely to wait. In turn these standards will make it easier to identify where performance is falling short and how to improve it.