Shaun Wooller

Family doctors said they are more inclined to prescribe certain medicines, refer patients to specialists or spend longer writing notes to prevent a backlash.

Sir Jim Mackey, chief executive of NHS England, said the service performs better when cash is tight and does 'not spend it well' when there is more 'flexibility'.

Patients will be directed to a kiosk or given an iPad-style tablet to fill in a questionnaire about their symptoms so staff can prioritise those with greatest need.

NHS officials are urging the public to come forward for care as usual but are braced for a surge in demand linked to a predicted heatwave and England's first World Cup game on Wednesday.

Dementia patients had to wait an average of 137 days - 20 weeks - from referral to diagnosis last year, according to the latest audit of memory assessment services.

The British Medical Association was due to march resident doctors out on strike in a long-running row over pay but it backed down at the 11th hour after James Murray proposed a new deal.

Charities described the reduction in sessions as 'transformative' as it allows doctors to cut waiting lists faster and saves men the inconvenience of making so many trips to hospital.

The launch was dramatically halted in February when officials expressed safety concerns and indicated they wanted to restrict the trial to kids aged 14 and over.

Three-quarters have considered leaving the profession in the past year, with most blaming staffing shortages and safety concerns, the Royal College of Midwives said.

There is no minimum age requirement for gender care, and the NHS previously said they want to ensure parents of very young children are given support where necessary.