Health secretary Alan Milburn is to announce the investment of £200 million in training for nurses and other medical staff as part of a plan to improve treatment of cancer and heart disease. The number of consultants will be set for an increase from 24,000 to 36,000 while the number of cancer specialists will rise from 600 to 1300.

Doctors and nurses will, in some areas, also begin to train together in an effort to improve communications and break down traditional barriers.

Money will also be spent on creating 20 "drop in" surgeries which will be open round the clock.