A new ‘online hospital’ is estimated to deliver millions of appointments, alleviate the strain on NHS resources, and help to slash lengthy waiting lists for treatment, claims the Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer outlined plans for NHS Online during his leader’s speech at Labour’s conference on Tuesday, September 30.
With plans to start the scheme in 2027, the online hospital will deliver up to 8.5 million extra NHS appointments in its first three years, claims the Labour party leadership.
In his speech in Liverpool, Sir Keir said that "a new world is coming".
"In decades to come, I want people to look back on this moment as the moment we renewed the NHS for a new world,” he said.
Here’s a closer look at what the NHS online hospital is and how it will function.
What is the NHS online hospital?
The Prime Minister described the proposed online services as "a new chapter in the story of our NHS, harnessing the future, patients in control".
The Labour party has stressed the importance of modernising NHS services, with this being a central part of that process.
"I know how hard people work in the NHS,” said Sir Keir. “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 is an evolution of ideas already in place to reduce waiting times and get patients access to treatment and diagnoses faster.
All appointments will be virtual,and will have doctors and health care specialists specifically dedicated to the online service.
"The online hospital could be a very significant development, transforming the way many patients receive their care,” NHS Providers chief executive Daniel Elkeles said. “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."
How will it be rolled out?
According to Labour’s plans, the NHS online hospital will be accessible via the NHS app.
Patients will be able to choose between the digital service and their local hospital, with the initial focus being on a small number of planned treatment areas with the longest waits.
Over time, the plan is to expand this to more treatment areas, with the gradual rollout designed to allow the NHS to ensure the services are clinically safe to deliver remotely.
Services provided via the online hospital include accessing and tracking prescriptions, getting referrals for in-person scans and tests, and receiving clinical advice for managing health conditions.
Physical tests and procedures can be booked via the app, to attend at nearby NHS facilities.
