As reported by The National, patients will soon get evening and weekend slots as NHS England targets two million extra appointments to cut waiting lists

Patients will be able to book more tests and scans after work and at weekends as part of plans to free up millions of medical appointments and slash waiting lists for elective treatment.

The elective reform plan, to be published by NHS England and set out by the Prime Minister, is part of a drive to deliver two million extra appointments by the end of next year. Labour’s “plan for change” pledges that by July 2029, 92% of patients will be seen within 18 weeks for pre-planned care such as hip and knee replacements.

Community diagnostic centres will be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever possible and will offer a wider range of tests.

The government says 65% of patients will receive planned treatment in the target timeframe by the end of next year. But Sir Keir Starmer was urged to go further and tackle how long people are waiting for GP appointments, emergency care and other services.

The health sector warned that GPs and hospitals need funding to recruit and retrain doctors and deal with staffing shortages. 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.

The Prime Minister said: “NHS backlogs have ballooned in recent years, leaving millions of patients languishing on waiting lists, often in pain or fear. Lives on hold. Potential unfulfilled.

“This elective reform plan will deliver on our promise to end the backlogs. Millions more appointments. Greater choice and convenience for patients. Staff once again able to give the standard of care they desperately want to.”