Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will today announce a major new NHS initiative. Consequently, England will get a new online hospital service by 2027. This digital platform aims to dramatically cut patient waiting times. Sir Keir will tell the Labour conference that “a new world is coming”. Therefore, the National Health Service is embarking on a significant digital transformation.
This new online hospital service will operate through the existing NHS app. It will feature its own dedicated doctors and nurses. These medical professionals will manage patients who choose digital care. The system will handle assessments and consultant check-ups. Additionally, it will manage all follow-up appointments remotely. Patients can also book scans or tests at local centers through the app.
The government plans a phased introduction starting in 2027. Initially, the focus will be on specific medical areas. These areas will have many patients who may not need hospital admission. NHS sources suggest starting with ophthalmology and gynaecology. Digestive conditions will also be a primary focus. However, identifying suitable patients presents a significant challenge. NHS England promises to only include conditions where digital care is completely safe.
Ministers have high hopes for this digital approach. They project the service will deliver 8.5 million appointments in three years. This figure is four times more than an average NHS trust currently handles. This ambitious online hospital service is a core theme in the NHS ten-year plan. It builds upon successful local digital pilots already conducted.
For example, University Hospital Southampton created a virtual service. It managed low-risk inflammatory bowel disease patients remotely. This initiative allowed three-quarters of patients to receive virtual care. Consequently, it reduced waiting times by an impressive 58%. Similarly, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London uses a virtual system. It manages non-emergency eye referrals effectively. Over half of these referrals avoided needing specialist hospital treatment.
NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey welcomed the plan. He said it offers a real alternative for patients. It also gives them more control over their own care. Daniel Elkeles from NHS Providers called the development “very significant”. He noted that outpatient services have not changed for decades. He also highlighted lessons learned about digital technology during the Covid pandemic.
However, experts urge careful planning and implementation. Elkeles warned about important factors like patient data handling. He also stressed the need to avoid “digital exclusion”. This term refers to people who cannot easily access online services. Dr Becks Fisher from the Nuffield Trust think tank called it an “interesting experiment”. She also pointed out a lack of current detail. She raised difficult questions about where the staff will come from. Furthermore, she questioned how the system will transition patients from digital to physical care when necessary.
Sir Keir will frame this announcement as part of his broader mission. He will say his party’s responsibility is not just to celebrate the NHS. It is also to make it better for the future. This new digital hospital represents a major step in that renewal effort.
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