Responding to new winter data from NHS England, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"Winter is always tough for the NHS and services are already feeling the strain from a worrying spike in nasty winter bugs and bad weather.

"Flu, norovirus, RSV and Covid-19 are piling the pressure on already stretched services and staff, and this is likely to get worse as we head into the depths of winter.

"The knock-on effects of Storm Bert also hit the NHS hard with a worrying increase in handover delays and dip in how quickly ambulances could get to patients.

"Delayed discharges also continue to be a worry for trust leaders with nearly 12,000 patients stuck in hospital when they don’t need to be with social care and community services also under relentless pressure. High bed occupancy compared to this time last year is also adding to the strain.

"Hospitals, mental health, community and ambulance services will continue to do everything they can to treat patients as quickly and as safely as possible as we head into the tricky winter months."