Responding to health and social care secretary Matt Hancock’s speech at the NHS Providers annual conference and exhibition, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

“As we head into winter with COVID-19 cases rising, trust leaders are really worried about the impact of staff burnout.

“Our recent survey highlighted their concerns that the sustained physical, psychological and emotional pressure of recent months is threatening to push them beyond their limits.

“So it was good to hear Matt Hancock emphasise the importance of investing in staff health and wellbeing.

“We welcome the new research project to understand and address the impact of the pandemic on NHS staff.

“It is absolutely right that this will place a particular focus on how it has affected Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues.

It was also good to hear the secretary of state praise the phenomenal effort to keep non-COVID care going through the pandemic.

“It was also good to hear the secretary of state praise the phenomenal effort to keep non-COVID care going through the pandemic.

“Trust leaders are keenly aware of the impact on patients caused by disruption and delays to some treatment, but the NHS has always been there for people when they needed it, and will remain so.

“During the pandemic we have been forthright in calling out issues where we feel the government could and should have done better, publicly articulating the concerns and needs of our members.

“But we have also worked closely with the government and its arm’s length bodies, as part of one NHS team, to ensure trusts are able to deliver for patients. We look forward to continue doing so as the NHS heads towards what could be the most difficult winter in its 70 plus year history.”