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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Health
Jane Dalton

GPs to send patients for hospital tests avoiding consultants in shake-up aimed at cutting NHS waiting lists

GPs will be able to refer people for diagnostic tests to bypass the wait for a consultant’s appointment - (Getty Images)

Patients with symptoms of bowel and lung conditions, cancer and heart failure will be fast-tracked for scans and tests, under government plans to cut NHS waiting times.

Under the prime minister’s plans, GPs will be able to directly send people for diagnostic testing, avoiding waits to see consultants first.

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