Responding to the latest data on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and ongoing pressures on the NHS, chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson said:

"It's fantastic that the latest data shows a single dose of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine protects against COVID-19 while also helping to reduce transmission.

"This is the good news the NHS has been waiting for.

"It's encouraging to see signs that the immediate pandemic pressures on the NHS may have peaked.

"It is really good that infections are falling, with fewer admissions, and the vaccination programme making brilliant headway.

"But the situation for hospitals, mental health community and ambulance services remains extremely difficult.

"There are more than 27,000 COVID-19 patients in hospital. The peak in the first wave was 19,000.

"Intensive care is running at 1.5 times baseline capacity.  Staff are still under enormous pressure.

"Wherever you look the NHS is hugely stretched, and the threat from the virus is as potent as ever.

"And we need to be alert to the risk from other new mutations now in circulation.

"The progress we've made so far is undoubtedly welcome, but there is a very long way to go until we are through this.

"We should only loosen restrictions when we are absolutely sure we won't risk triggering another wave of infections."