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| New online NHS hospital service by 2027, PM to promise | New online NHS hospital service by 2027, PM to promise |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| An NHS online hospital service will be launched in England within two years to help cut waiting times, the prime minister is set to announce. | An NHS online hospital service will be launched in England within two years to help cut waiting times, the prime minister is set to announce. |
| Sir Keir Starmer will tell the Labour Party annual conference a "new world is coming" as he sets out plans for the digital service. | Sir Keir Starmer will tell the Labour Party annual conference a "new world is coming" as he sets out plans for the digital service. |
| NHS Online will have its own dedicated doctors and nurses who will take charge of patients who choose to use the service. | NHS Online will have its own dedicated doctors and nurses who will take charge of patients who choose to use the service. |
| The idea is that assessments, check-ups with consultants and follow-up appointments will all be done online. | The idea is that assessments, check-ups with consultants and follow-up appointments will all be done online. |
| People will also be able to book a scan, test or procedure if they need one at a local community diagnostic centre via the app. | |
| The service will be phased in from 2027 with the focus on areas where there are significant numbers of patients who may never need inpatient treatment. | The service will be phased in from 2027 with the focus on areas where there are significant numbers of patients who may never need inpatient treatment. |
| NHS sources said this could include ophthalmology, gynaecology and digestive conditions. | NHS sources said this could include ophthalmology, gynaecology and digestive conditions. |
| For each there will be some patients who require monitoring and support managing their health condition and therefore more suitable to the online service. | For each there will be some patients who require monitoring and support managing their health condition and therefore more suitable to the online service. |
| But identifying which are those patients will be a challenge. | But identifying which are those patients will be a challenge. |
| NHS England said only those areas where an online service is considered safe will be included in the new offer. | NHS England said only those areas where an online service is considered safe will be included in the new offer. |
| The online hospital will be accessible through the NHS app and ministers hope it will deliver up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years - four times more than an average NHS trust. | The online hospital will be accessible through the NHS app and ministers hope it will deliver up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments in its first three years - four times more than an average NHS trust. |
| Core theme in 10-year NHS plan | Core theme in 10-year NHS plan |
| Sir Keir will say "the responsibility of this party is not just to celebrate the NHS, it's to make it better". | Sir Keir will say "the responsibility of this party is not just to celebrate the NHS, it's to make it better". |
| NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey said the initiative would "deliver millions more appointments by the end of the decade, offering a real alternative for patients and more control over their own care". | NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey said the initiative would "deliver millions more appointments by the end of the decade, offering a real alternative for patients and more control over their own care". |
| Digital innovation was one of the core themes of the 10-year NHS plan that was published over the summer. | Digital innovation was one of the core themes of the 10-year NHS plan that was published over the summer. |
| The service will build on some initiatives that have already been piloted. | The service will build on some initiatives that have already been piloted. |
| For example, University Hospital Southampton developed a virtual follow-up service for low-risk inflammatory bowel disease, enabling patients to access care and support remotely when they had flare-ups. | For example, University Hospital Southampton developed a virtual follow-up service for low-risk inflammatory bowel disease, enabling patients to access care and support remotely when they had flare-ups. |
| It meant the NHS trust could cut back on routine follow-up appointments. Three quarters of patients were managed virtually and the initiative was credited in reducing waiting times by 58%. | It meant the NHS trust could cut back on routine follow-up appointments. Three quarters of patients were managed virtually and the initiative was credited in reducing waiting times by 58%. |
| Meanwhile, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London has introduced a virtual system for managing non-emergency eye referrals. More than half ended up being treated in routine clinics without the need for specialist treatment at Moorfields. | Meanwhile, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London has introduced a virtual system for managing non-emergency eye referrals. More than half ended up being treated in routine clinics without the need for specialist treatment at Moorfields. |
| Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said the online hospital service could be a "very significant" development. | Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said the online hospital service could be a "very significant" development. |
| "The way the NHS provides outpatients services hasn't changed much for decades, but during Covid we learned a lot about opportunities for new approaches using digital technology. | "The way the NHS provides outpatients 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. | "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." | "These include the handling of patient data and the need to avoid "digital exclusion" of people who can't access the service." |
| Dr Becks Fisher, of the Nuffield Trust think tank, said it is an "interesting experiment". | Dr Becks Fisher, of the Nuffield Trust think tank, said it is an "interesting experiment". |
| But she added: "At this stage detail is largely lacking. And there are some difficult questions looming about implementation. | But she added: "At this stage detail is largely lacking. And there are some difficult questions looming about implementation. |
| "Where will the doctors and nurses for this service be taken from? And how will they pass patients who need care from digital to physical services? | "Where will the doctors and nurses for this service be taken from? And how will they pass patients who need care from digital to physical services? |
| "This service will only be safe and suitable for certain patients. How will we make sure it is kept to them?" | "This service will only be safe and suitable for certain patients. How will we make sure it is kept to them?" |