How will this be better for me as a PATIENT?

Start the clock...

John sees his GP with abdominal pains. His GP suspects he may have a hernia and discusses with John which hospital
he wants to be referred to for his first appointment. John books his first appointment.

The clock keeps ticking...

John goes to his local hospital as an outpatient for his first appointment with a consultant. The consultant explains the tests that John will need to have to confirm that he has a hernia and whether he needs surgery to repair it. John has the tests and the results are sent to his consultant electronically. John and the consultant discuss the results and agree that John will have surgery.

Stop the clock.

No more than 18 weeks will have passed. John is admitted to hospital for his hernia repair surgery.