The General Election manifesto commitment also includes expanding the Pharmacy First scheme to free up 20m GP appointments, modernising 150 GP surgeries and delivering 50 new community diagnostic centres.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 'The NHS is one of our most important national assets and the Conservatives are taking the long-term decisions to secure its future.   

'As part of our clear plan we are investing in community services making it quicker, easier and more convenient for patients to receive the care they need and help to relieve pressure on hospital services.   

'Only the Conservatives will take the bold action needed to secure the NHS's future so that you can be safe in the knowledge that the NHS will be there for you and your family whenever you need it.'

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, welcomed the proposals to bring more care into the community and closer to people's homes.

‘This is the right direction of travel if we want to place the NHS on a more sustainable footing,' he said.

Taylor called on the next Government to shift more resources into primary care, community services and social care but warned NHS leaders were having to cut staff in order to offset financial pressures.

The chief executive expressed concerns about the Conservatives plans to fund the proposals by cutting management costs, however, highlighting that the NHS was already undermanaged.

Taylor highlighted the transition to delivering more care in the community would requires extra funding given the primary care estate and other parts of the NHS were in a ‘poor state'.

Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust, also welcomed the shift to community services but cautioned the moves represented ‘small-scale proposals' following years of shifting money from community services to hospitals.