Patients in England to be asked to use NHS app to book private hospitals

Under the new plan, patients could see how long they would have to wait for NHS and private hospitals. Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/PA

Patients waiting for NHS care will be encouraged to use the health service’s app to book their operation at a private hospital under government plans to tackle the huge care backlog.

The proposal will be included in the forthcoming report of the “elective recovery taskforce” Rishi Sunak set up last December to come up with new ideas.