Cross-border NHS?

STEVE Barclay has said he is “open to requests” for patients from Wales and Scotland to be treated on the NHS in England

The Health Secretary has invited Scottish and Welsh ministers to discuss what “lessons can be learnt” from the different approaches taken by each government to the health service.

He suggested the two nations have worse NHS delays than England in some areas, which both devolved administrations disputed.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made cutting waiting lists one of five key priorities for his leadership after they hit a record 7.57 million people in hospitals in England alone in June.

In a press release, the Department of Health and Social Care said there are “significant variations” in NHS waiting times between the four UK nations.

“In Wales, more than 73,000 people are waiting over 77 weeks for treatment, and at least 21,600 people are waiting over 78 weeks for an outpatient, day case or inpatient appointment in Scotland,” it said.