The NHS is implementing a new strategy to reduce waiting lists and speed up access to care by matching patients with hospitals further from home. Patients will be given a profile outlining their symptoms and treatment needs, as well as their willingness to travel for their appointment. This information will be reviewed by managers and healthcare professionals at various private and NHS providers across the country, who can take over their care if they have the capacity. The cost of travel to alternative hospitals will be covered by the NHS, and some consultations may even be done remotely.
This initiative comes at a time when waiting lists in England have reached a record high of 7.5 million, with over 835,000 appointments and operations cancelled due to strikes. The online matching platform was initially introduced for hospital admissions but is now being expanded to include cancer, diagnostic checks, and outpatient appointments. Since its launch in January, it has already received over 1,700 offers of support, benefiting thousands of patients.
The system primarily focuses on patients who have been waiting the longest, serving as a vital tool to reduce the Covid-related backlogs. However, there is no requirement for patients to have waited for a specific length of time before being added to the platform. Patient information, such as willingness to travel, illness severity, BMI, and waiting time, is taken into consideration by healthcare organizations when deciding whether they can provide the necessary care. If multiple providers offer treatment, the options are presented to the patient, who can then make their choice based on factors such as travel distance.
So far, the specialties that have benefited the most from this digital mutual aid are gynaecology, colorectal, and trauma and orthopaedics. However, a wide range of treatments and appointments can be uploaded to the platform. NHS England’s CEO, Amanda Pritchard, praised the new tool, stating that it facilitates collaboration among hospitals and helps reduce waiting times.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay expressed his support for the platform, emphasizing that it will enable patients to be matched with services based on their clinical needs and personal preferences. This will lead to faster diagnostic checks and treatment, often without the need for hospital visits. The government is committed to reducing waiting lists, making this platform an instrumental part of their efforts.
Last year, a survey conducted by the Patients Association and the Independent Healthcare Providers Network revealed that nearly three-quarters of patients would be willing to travel more than 30 minutes if it meant receiving treatment more quickly. In May, less than 60% of cancer patients were seen within two months of an urgent GP referral, falling short of the NHS target of 85%. Moreover, over 700,000 NHS appointments have been cancelled during the strikes over the past seven months.
The expansion of the hospital matching platform has been welcomed by the Patients Association, as it empowers both patients and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about treatment locations. Patient choice has been a right for over a decade, but many patients are not aware of this right or are not offered the option. The matching platform aims to increase awareness and utilization of mutual aid within the NHS.
Representatives from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network and the NHS Confederation have also expressed their support for the platform, highlighting its potential to reduce waiting times and prioritize patients who have been waiting the longest. While some patients may prefer to wait longer in order to attend their local hospital, this initiative allows for better management of limited capacity and addresses the current challenges in healthcare delivery.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
