Responding to the announcement on the My Planned Care platform, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

"Trust leaders understand only too well the disruption and distress for patients who face treatment delays.

"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.

"We have seen great efforts in recent months to restore activity up to, and sometimes beyond, pre-pandemic levels.

"This is remarkable given the unprecedented demands on the NHS as a result of the pandemic and wider pressures, at a time of severe workforce shortages.

"We know that, because of the disruption caused by COVID-19, far too many people are waiting for treatment, often for very long periods.

"And it's not just about planned hospital "elective" treatment which tends to be the main focus of attention.

"There are also very worrying delays for mental health treatment, and for community services with a risk of widening health inequalities and delivering poorer outcomes for vulnerable groups, including children and young people. Addressing these backlogs is a priority too.

"Trust leaders will therefore be going flat out to meet the challenges presented by long waits while they also manage the ongoing impact of an overstretched social care system and any further surges of COVID-19.

"They, and the staff they lead, understand how important this is for millions of people across the country."