Can Starmer's reform plan succeed?

Expanding the role of community diagnostic centres

- Denis Campbell

A network of CDCs across England was first announced in October 2021, to help the NHS improve waiting times after the disruption to care Covid-19 caused. They are meant to provide quicker access to X-rays and CT and MRI scans, and be in convenient locations such as shopping centres, thus improving earlier diagnosis of disease and reducing the pressure on hospitals.

The innovative element of Keir Starmer's plan is that the 170 or so CDCs will open for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, "wherever possible", to expand the number of tests done. However, even if that happens, "it's in the helpful but not game-changing category when it comes to making a significant dent in NHS waiting lists", says Siva Anandaciva, the King's Fund's chief analyst.

More operations done in surgical hubs

Again, these have existed for several years and more than 100 have been opened. These specialist facilities typically perform common operations such as cataract removals and hip replacements. Under the elective reform plan, 14 more will open in hospitals by June and three others will be expanded, allowing more surgery to take place and thus treatment to take place sooner.