The government is setting up an Elective Recovery Taskforce intended to help the NHS meet waiting list targets.

The aims are to eliminate 18-month waits by April 2023 and waits of over a year by March 2025.

The Taskforce is to meet for the first time on Wednesday, chaired by Health Minister Will Quince and featuring academics and experts from the NHS and independent sector to advise the government on ways to help the NHS recovery from the pandemic, and reduce waiting times.

The Taskforce will deliver a series of recommendations to the government early next year.

One topic of focus will be how the NHS can utilise existing capacity in independent sector to cut the backlog.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: "The NHS is facing an unprecedented challenge to tackle covid backlogs.

"Hardworking staff have made strong progress but I want to turbocharge our current plans to bust the backlog and help patients get the treatment they need.

"The taskforce will look at sensible steps to utilise all existing capacity to slash waiting lists while ensuring the NHS always remains free at the point of use.

Patients will also be able to access treatment and diagnostic tests closer to home, with the approval of 19 new one-stop shops for tests, checks and scans.

Diagnostic centres will be set up across the country including in football stadiums and shopping centres and will provide MRI, CT and x-rays. 91 centres are already in operation.