Today (6th January), the UK government unveiled its new Elective Recovery Plan, which marks a bold step forward in tackling the 7.5 million NHS backlog. The plan aims to deliver up to 2 million additional appointments annually, expand access to diagnostic and surgical care, and restore the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard. At MDCG, we are proud to support these initiatives by increasing access to care and helping the NHS operate more efficiently.

Key elements of the plan

The government’s Plan for Change sets an ambitious goal: to treat 65% of patients within 18 weeks by the end of next year. This plan would reduce the number of patients waiting longer than 18 weeks by more than 450,000.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated:

“NHS backlogs have ballooned in recent years, leaving millions of patients languishing on waiting lists. This elective reform plan will deliver on our promise to end the backlogs. Millions more appointments. Greater choice and convenience for patients.

The government has set out three ways to address the backlog through the elective recovery plan, including:

  1. Expanding the operating hours of Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), in turn adding 500,000 additional appointments annually.
  2. Adding 14 new surgical hubs and expanding three facilities to deliver routine surgeries.
  3. Harnessing technology to give patients greater choice and control over bookings, results and waiting times. AI-driven tools will also be used to reduce missed appointments and support efficient scheduling.

The reforms announced today aim to change the current NHS approach by prioritising patients, considering their treatment holistically, and enabling them to have greater choice and control, making care more convenient and better aligned with their lives.

At MDCG, we’re already contributing to these outcomes by partnering with NHS trusts to:

  • Expand diagnostic and surgical capacity through innovative staffing solutions.
  • Help streamline pathways, enabling patients to access care more quickly.
  • Support local teams in optimising resources and addressing inefficiencies.

Case Study: Royal Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust

In collaboration with Royal Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust, MDCG deployed a team of skilled endoscopy staff to address a growing backlog. This initiative resulted in:

  • 15,000 patients being treated, and 22,500 procedures completed
  • A 48% reduction in waiting times, from 65 weeks to 34 weeks​.
  • Increased utilisation rates from 80% to 97%, with cancellations below 1%.
  • Improved bowel preparation compliance, with poor preparation rates dropping from 20% to 8%.

This is evidence that great partnerships produce excellent results, and NHS pressures can be relieved through strategic planning and enhanced efficiency. 

At MDCG, we embrace innovation to help deliver faster and more patient-centred care. We’re committed to supporting the NHS in its rollout of the Elective Recovery Plan and look forward to providing quality care to patients nationwide. 

For more on how MDCG is helping transform patient care, contact us.