Speaking at the Downing Street press conference today the prime minister said:

“Even as we fight COVID it’s vital that people get all the treatment they need for other conditions. I must be clear, if the NHS were to be overwhelmed by COVID then no one could get any such care. That’s why we must bear down on this virus.”

Responding to these comments the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

“While we understand the prime minister’s instinct to protect the NHS, the words he’s using – implying that if there is a widespread second COVID spike, the NHS would be unable to treat any non-COVID patients – are deeply damaging.

The NHS is there to care for us all when we need it, COVID-19 or not.

“The NHS is there to care for us all when we need it, COVID-19 or not. And that was clearly demonstrated in the first phase of COVID when there were two non-COVID patients being treated in hospital for every one COVID patient.

“These words risk people who may have other conditions not coming forward because they think they are protecting the health service. This cannot be right.

“So we support the prime minister’s appeal for people to act responsibly and follow the restrictions.

“But it’s vital for them to know that whatever the pressures, the NHS is open for business.”