According to reports, follow-up appointments will be dropped and patients will move around the country as part of new plans to address the huge NHS wait list backlog.
Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, is believed to have asked NHS chiefs for proposals to reduce the backlog.
Sir Jim Mackey is the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s head and will lead a review that recommends reducing follow-up appointments for certain treatment.
Patients will now be advised to consult doctors only when they are experiencing any symptoms. According to The Times this system is known as “patient-initiated following-up”.
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary (pictured), is believed to have asked NHS chiefs for proposals to reduce the backlog
It is believed that the government has plans for non-urgent care to be accelerated by establishing ‘hubs’ to perform routine surgeries in addition to emergency care.
If you are experiencing long wait times for treatment, it is possible to fly further to be treated faster.
While patients have the ability to choose which hospital they prefer, some health leaders are looking at creating “clearing homes” to help those who’ve waited too long.
The waiting list for NHS services in England has risen from 4.8 million to 5.8 million since the beginning of the pandemic.
Technology could also be used to remove millions from the waiting list. It would allow patients to communicate electronically with their clinicians without having to travel to see them in person.
The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s head Sir Jim Mackey conducted a review and recommended that certain treatment-related follow up appointments be cut. (file photo).
The NHS App, which is currently being used to issue Covid vaccination certificates, can be extended so that it becomes the primary point of contact for hospital care management.
The NHS Leadership Review will consider whether the pay raises for chiefs of the NHS who reduce wait times should also be considered.
According to sources, Mr Javid had been informed about these changes and is still not ready to sign anything.
According to a government source, The Times was told by a government source that the elective recovery plan was still being developed. No decisions were made yet and much work remains before any agreements can be signed.