Patients waiting for elective surgeries will benefit from increased transparency and information sharing following the launch of the new NHS ‘My Planned Care’ platform.

The Department of Health and Social Care said that patients and their carers will be able to access tailored information ahead of planned surgeries, including information on waiting times for their provider. This is in a addition to being able to better understand their expected wait.

Appropriate personalised support could include advice on prevention services such as stop smoking or diet and exercise plans, to make sure they are fighting fit for surgery to reduce cancellations, prevent deterioration and help patients recover as quickly as possible.

A third of on-the-day cancellations are due to people not being clinically ready for treatment, such as having a long-term condition including diabetes or high blood pressure which has not been diagnosed or properly managed.

The measures form part of wide-ranging plans to tackle the backlog of elective care caused by the pandemic, which also includes the rollout of more than 100 community diagnostic centres across the country and extra surgical hubs, all backed by billion pounds of additional investment.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “At the height of the pandemic the NHS rightly focused on treating Covid-19 patients, but sadly it has meant waiting lists have risen - and the Covid backlog is going to keep rising. This platform, combined with our record funding to tackle the backlog and invest in innovative diagnosis and treatment will help us ensure access to life changing care and support for people no matter who they are or where they live.”

The platform, which will go live later this month, will initially be accessible via NHS.UK, allowing patients, family members, carers and clinicians to all access information at any point of their care pathway.