Responding to the joint letter to the healthcare profession from the four chief medical officers (CMOs), the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

"The progress on vaccines is great news but the CMOs are right to emphasise they'll have only a marginal impact over the next few months.

"We agree that the relaxed restrictions over Christmas could result in additional pressures on the NHS in the new year, just when winter is at its worst and the health service at its most vulnerable.

"Curbing the spread of the virus through social distancing and hygiene measures remains the best bet to ensure the NHS is able to treat all patients, COVID and non COVID, in the coming weeks. So we'd encourage everyone to play it safe and follow the rules."