In a significant stride towards transforming the NHS, the UK government has delivered over two million additional NHS appointments, including vital treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endoscopy, and diagnostic tests.
This achievement marks the first step in the government's ambitious plan to fix the NHS, reaching the target seven months ahead of schedule.
The Prime Minister has praised the latest figures published by NHS England, which reveal that between July and November last year, the NHS delivered nearly 2.2 million more elective care appointments compared to the same period the previous year. This accomplishment aligns with the government's mission to overhaul the NHS as part of the Plan for Change.
The new data confirms that the government surpassed its target well ahead of time, with an additional 100,000 treatments, tests, and scans for patients each week, and over half a million extra diagnostic tests conducted. This follows recent figures showing a reduction in the waiting list by almost 160,000 since the government took office, contrasting with an increase of nearly 33,000 during the same period the previous year.
Thousands of patients have benefited from receiving crucial operations, scans, treatments, and consultations earlier than planned, enabling them to resume their daily lives and return to work sooner. The extra two million appointments were made possible through extended evening and weekend working hours, supported by the government's broader reform agenda.
Commenting on this milestone, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Two million extra NHS appointments and a waiting list on its way down – we’re delivering on our promise to fix the NHS and make sure people get the care they need, when they need it.
“This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the cancer patients who for too long were left wondering when they’ll finally start getting their life-saving treatment. It’s about the millions of people who’ve put their lives and livelihoods on hold - waiting in pain and uncertainty as they wait for a diagnosis.
“We said we’d turn this around and that’s exactly what we’re doing - this milestone is a shot in the arm for our plan to get the NHS back on its feet and cut waiting times.
“But we’re not complacent and we know the job isn’t done. We’re determined to go further and faster to deliver more appointments, faster treatment, and a National Health Service that the British public deserve as part of our Plan for Change.”
A key component of the reform is the expansion of Community Diagnostic Centres, which will operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week, providing more appointments closer to patients' homes. Additionally, 17 new or expanded surgical hubs will be established within existing hospitals by June, focusing on delivering common, less complex procedures and reducing waiting times for standard surgeries.
The government has announced an additional £40 million funding pot for trusts that make significant improvements in cutting waiting lists. This funding will be available for hospitals to invest in new equipment, repairs, and innovations such as surgical robots and AI scanners, modernising the NHS and expediting patient care.
The Elective Reform Plan aims to treat 92% of elective care patients within 18 weeks of referral by the end of this Parliament, fulfilling a core commitment in the Plan for Change. The government is also working to end NHS strikes, increase flu vaccinations, and invest £1.8 billion in extra elective care appointments as part of a record £26 billion NHS funding boost.
In addition to these reforms, the government has launched a nationwide consultation on the 10 Year Health Plan to build an NHS fit for the future. NHS England has also initiated its first-ever awareness campaign to encourage more women to attend potentially lifesaving breast screenings, supported by the charity Breast Cancer Now.
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