Patients can demand a private hospital if they wait 18 weeks for surgery

In the past, hospitals have been judged on waiting lists and other upfront markers rather than the success or failure of treatment.

The NHS will publish an annual report, with the first appraisal released today, to monitor standards and measure improvements. And a new NHS board will have to write to the Health Secretary to explain if key indicators do not improve.

In today’s NHS report, the Government will also laud health staff for reducing waiting times, cutting mixed-sex

wards and reducing infection rates in hospitals.

However, the pledge to increase health standards represents a major political gamble for Mr Lansley.

Earlier this year, he forced through major reform of the NHS in the face of intense opposition from the medical profession. If he fails to meet the new targets, the “failure” of the NHS reforms are expected to form the centrepiece of Labour’s next election campaign.