Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce a new “online hospital” that hopes to deliver millions of appointments and help slash waiting lists.
The Prime Minister will use his leader’s speech at Labour’s conference to set out plans for NHS Online, which will connect patients to specialist clinicians.
The scheme, which will begin operating in 2027, will deliver up to 8.5 million extra NHS appointments in its first three years, Labour claims.
In his speech in Liverpool, Sir Keir will say “a new world is coming” and “in decades to come, I want people to look back on this moment as the moment we renewed the NHS for a new world”.
The online hospital will be accessible through the NHS app and will allow patients to choose between the digital service and their local hospital.
Those who use the service will be able to access and track prescriptions, be referred for scans and tests, and receive clinical advice on managing their condition.
Patients who require a physical test or a procedure will be able to book them on the app, at a nearby hospital, surgical hub or community diagnostic centre.
Sir Keir will describe it as “a new chapter in the story of our NHS, harnessing the future, patients in control”.
“Waiting times cut for every single person in this country. That’s national renewal, that’s a Britain built for all.”
The Prime Minister will stress the need for continued NHS modernisation, insisting it is Labour’s responsibility to make the health service fit for the years to come.
Sir Keir will say: “I know how hard people work in the NHS – I see it in my family – and I celebrate it at every opportunity.
“But the responsibility of this party is not just to celebrate the NHS, it’s to make it better.”
The scheme builds upon ideas already being used in some NHS trusts to reduce waiting times and allow patients to get treatment or advice quickly.
Wes Streeting said some NHS organisations trialling online hospital programmes are triaging patients within two days.
Describing how the programme may work, the health secretary told LBC Radio: “When you’re trying to book online see a GP, booking your GP appointment via the app, it will identify you might be eligible for the NHS online hospital, and you’ll be you’ll be directed there.
“Where this is working people are getting triaged within 48 hours, and that is much quicker.”
Asked if that would be the goal, he added: “Absolutely.”
Mr Streeting said the programme would be rolled out in 2027 because “we’ve got to make sure it’ tested. We’ve got to make sure it’s safe”.
He went on: “Some of us, like myself, much prefer to see someone over the over the screen or over the phone, rather than take time off work if I can possibly avoid it.
“There’ll be others who will want face-to-face care, and we should always safeguard that and those people benefit, because we reckon this will generate about eight and a half million extra appointments over a three year period, that then frees up capacity for patients who want to be seen face-to-face, either in their general practice or in the hospital.”
NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey said: “This is a huge step forward for the NHS and will deliver millions more appointments by the end of the decade, offering a real alternative for patients and more control over their own care.
“Patients who choose to receive their treatment through the online hospital will benefit from us industrialising the latest technology and innovations, while the increased capacity will help to cut demand and slash waiting times.
“The NHS can, must and will move forward to match other sectors in offering digital services that make services as personalised, convenient, and flexible as possible for both staff and patients.”
NHS Providers chief executive Daniel Elkeles said: “The online hospital could be a very significant development, transforming the way many patients receive their care.
“The way the NHS provides outpatient services hasn’t changed much for decades, but during Covid, we learned a lot about opportunities for new approaches using digital technology.
“It’s sensible they are taking the time to plan this properly because there are a lot of factors to consider.
“These include the handling of patient data and the need to avoid ‘digital exclusion’ of people who can’t access the service.
“It’s important there’s new funding and it will be an NHS organisation with NHS staff.
“This is a bold, exciting initiative, but the benefits should not come at the cost of destabilising vital services patients will continue to rely on.”
