If someone's life is in danger the NHS acts and it acts quickly. It is a life-saver and there are dedicated teams of paramedics who work with accident and emergency nurses and doctors to save lives every day. Many patients may not need emergency treatment but require urgent treatment. For example, a woman who finds a lump in her breast needs to be seen quickly by a specialist and undergo the necessary tests before a clear diagnosis of her condition can be made. That's why the NHS has to meet a target of two weeks from the GP referring that patient to a specialist.
Diagnosis is swift so the patient can get the right treatment as quickly as possible.
But, in the past, the NHS has not been able to advance less serious medical cases as fast. Hip replacements, cataract and hernia operations or treatment for people with varicose veins take longer to undertake. It can be uncomfortable for the patient but generally it isn't life-threatening. Now the NHS is charged with cutting the waiting times down at all levels. Yes, the emergency and urgent cases should and will be top priority but there will be an increasing trend towards helping patients at every level and at every stage of care.