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

Proposal is part of government’s plan to reduce waiting lists, but experts say choice is already available

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.