Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack has shared plans for a pioneering new model for online hospitals which hope to revolutionise care locally to provide faster, more flexible access to experts, without having to attend hospitals in-person. 

The new model will utilise NHS Online to enable patients to access remote consultations, follow-ups and ongoing condition management via the NHS. This hopes to reduce delays between referrals and treatment as well as ease pressures of local services and get patients with complex needs more direct specialist care. 

Following the announcement of this new plan, Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack said: 'We've made real progress over the past years in creating extra capacity across the NHS. More than 2,000 additional GPs have been recruited and we've delivered 5 million more appointments, including over 150,000 across Derby, Leicestershire and Nottingham Hospital Trusts, and that's just the start. 

'Launching a new online hospital service will give people faster access to specialists, without the need to travel long distances. Being able to book an online consultation with an expert anywhere in the country instead is a game changer for our area. 

'This service will also work hand-in-hand with the new Neighbourhood Care Service, of which North West Leicestershire is one of the first pilot areas, bringing high-quality care closer to home.' 

NHS chief executive Sir Jim Mackey said: 'This is a huge step forward for the NHS and will deliver millions more appointments by the end of the decade, offering a real alternative for patients and more control over their own care. 

'Patients who choose to receive their treatment through the online hospital will benefit from us industrialising the latest technology and innovations, while the increased capacity will help to cut demand and slash waiting times. 

'The NHS can, must and will move forward to match other sectors in offering digital services that make services as personalised, convenient and flexible as possible for both staff and patients.'