Nearly a million hospital appointments are set to be freed up under new NHS plans to streamline specialist referrals through increased GP involvement, with £80 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.
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‘I was the only out lesbian MP for 13 years – here’s how Parliament has changed’
Dame Angela Eagle, who became the first openly gay Labour MP in 1997, sought advice from fellow MP Chris Smith before publicly coming out, amid a climate of homophobia and the impacts of Section 28. Now a minister, she reflects on her contributions to LGBTQ+ rights and notes the significant progress made, with Labour's 59 openly LGBTQ+ MPs representing a historic milestone. Need More Context? 🔎
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