Patients across the UK are expected to soon be able to use the NHS website ahead of planned operations to see waiting times information for their trust.
It comes as the Department of Health promised more transparency on hospital waiting times.
The new 'My Planned Care' platform is due to go live on the NHS website later this month and will be accessible to patients, family members and carers.
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Those due to have surgery will be able to access tailored information in a bid to have “increased transparency and information sharing”, the Department of Health (DH) said.
And the service is also expected to be available on the NHS app in the future.
The development has been made in a bid to help people to better understand their expected waiting times.
Clinicians will be able to link patients to personalised support in preparation for their surgery.
The launch is part of plans to tackle the backlog in planned care caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Health 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.”
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers – which represents trusts, said health staff will be “going flat out to meet the challenges presented by long waits”.
He said: “The ‘My Planned Care’ platform, which is the subject of today’s announcement, and is designed to improve information for patients ahead of treatment and reduce cancellations, will form part of a plan to tackle the care backlog.
“The publication of full details of this plan, which trust leaders have helped create and expect shortly, will be a key moment for the NHS.
“Trusts will do all they can to deliver the plan and get through their backlogs as quickly as possible.”
