Waiting lists slashed three times faster

A BLUEPRINT to tackle the NHS backlog has been unveiled by Labour after slashing NHS waiting lists three times faster in poorer areas.

- MARTIN BAGOT

A national pilot sent crack teams into 20 hospitals covering some of the areas of England with highest levels of unemployment and have found how to supercharge NHS elective care.

The pilot involved theatres operating continuously, allowing surgeons to get through more procedures in a day. Unnecessary appointments were also cut by sending patients “straight to test” rather than multiple clinic visits.

People of working age were treated for planned care five times faster and the scheme is being hailed as a way to tackle the waiting list that is stopping many from being able to work.