Starmer sets out plans to cut hospital backlog with millions more appointments

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Staff once again able to give the standard of care they desperately want to.” Up to half a million more appointments a year are expected to be made available by extending opening hours at community diagnostic centres and through the creation of 14 new surgical hubs and the expansion of three by June. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the target to cut maximum wait times from 18 months to 18 weeks would be achieved by “bringing care closer to home and give patients more choice over their treatment”. Trusts face “huge operational and financial challenges” every day, especially in busy A&Es and emergency care, and staff continue to “work flat out” for patients, she said. “The Government risks putting hip replacements over heart attacks unless it brings forward a wider set of measures to improve emergency care, and delivers social care reform at speed, not years from now,” said health and social care spokeswoman Helen Morgan.