Alan Milburn has launched a treatment drive that will give patients waiting for heart surgery the option of using a hospital in another area - or even abroad.

The health secretary on Monday launched the "Patients' Choice" scheme which gives patients in England who have waited more than six months the chance to travel for treatment.

Patients will be offered a hospital in the public or private sector - in this country or abroad - which can do the operation more quickly.

The scheme will be available to more than 2,500 patients who have been waiting longer than six months.

Those that do not wish to take up the offer will be given a guarantee that they will not wait more than 12 months at their local hospital.

A pilot system which began earlier this year has resulted in vver 200 patients being sent to France and Germany for treatment at the NHS's expense.

But the announcement will revive the row with public sector unions over the use of the private sector.

But Milburn's initiative received a surprise boost with a survey commissioned by the BMA, which revealed the public backs the sick being allowed to travel abroad for treatment.

The poll also found strong public support for a greater private sector role in the NHS.

Dr Ian Bogle, chairman of the BMA, said: "It shows patients are willing to put themselves at considerable inconvenience to get out of pain faster.

"We have a national health service and GPs should in theory be able to refer patients anywhere in the UK for treatment. However, it is vitally important that we build up our own local capacity."

Milburn said the new scheme was an important first step in giving NHS patients more choice.

"As we expand the NHS and recruit more doctors and nurses and other health professionals we can ensure faster treatment, higher standards of care and a better patient experience," he said.

"Waiting times are falling for heart surgery and are falling across the NHS but some patients still wait too long and we will continue our efforts to reduce waiting times according to the NHS Plan."

The Conservatives said the announcement amounted to "a national humiliation" for the government.

"It is good news for the patients who have been waiting six months for operations on which their lives depend," said shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox.

"But it is a damning indictment of Labour's stewardship of our National Health Service if the only way the sickest patients can be treated is to be sent abroad.

"They should solve this crisis using existing resources in this country rather than looking for quick fixes and media stunts.

"This situation is the sorry consequence of the government's error-strewn mismanagement of patients waiting for surgery."