Nearly a million hospital appointments are set to be freed up under new NHS plans to streamline specialist referrals through increased GP involvement, with ÂŁ80 million allocated to incentivize referrals through the ‘Advice and Guidance’ scheme. This initiative aims to reduce unnecessary outpatient appointments and ensure patients receive appropriate care in the community, easing hospital pressures and cutting waiting times. The reforms, including an overhaul of the NHS App, will give patients more control over their care and shift towards digital healthcare, ultimately benefiting hundreds of thousands of patients annually while saving costs for the taxpayer.
Full Article