Ashby MP Amanda Hack has welcomed new NHS reforms aimed at cutting waiting lists and ending backlogs.

She says the move will 'enhance services, cut waiting lists and improve the health of local people' in North West Leicestershire.

Labour says millions of patients across the country will be able to access more appointments and get the treatment they need faster, under a new plan to tackle hospital backlogs.

The Elective Reform Plan, published earlier this month by NHS England, sets out a whole system approach to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target by the end of this Parliament. 

Labour adds that, restoring this standard will mean millions of patients no longer have their lives put on hold while waiting for treatment. 

The Government says it accepts that too many patients face long waits for appointments or surgeries and may be referred to hospitals they do not choose at inconvenient times, while appointments and staff time are being lost to inefficiencies or inconsistencies in care.

Labour adds that the reforms set out are focused on doing things differently by putting patients first, looking at their treatment in the round and empowering them with more choice and control so that care is more convenient and fits better into their lives.

Ms Hack, MP for North West Leicestershire, said: "I've lost count of the number of times I have spoken to residents on the doorstep who have been waiting far too long for their procedures. 

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"Under this Government, our proposals will get us back to hitting the 18-week referral to treatment target so people no longer have to put their lives on hold.

"The plan will drive forward progress on our first steps commitment which we set out during the election to deliver two million extra appointments in our first year, equivalent to 40,000 every week. 

"The reforms will put patients first, harness technology to support staff and help the NHS do things more efficiently.

"Having already met with many of our local GP practises and the North West Leicestershire GP Federation, I will continue working closely with our health teams to enhance services, cut waiting lists and improve the health of local people."