Responding to the Government’s announcement that two million extra NHS appointments have been delivered, interim chief executive at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“Trust leaders will welcome the recognition given to the role of frontline staff. They have truly gone above and beyond in helping as many patients as possible get treatments and diagnoses.

“Investing a proportion of the £22.6 billion NHS budget allocation to a pay award bringing more than 18 months of industrial action to a close, has also released a significant brake on productivity. This, along with the growing access to community diagnostic centres and hubs, has helped increase activity. We are seeing waiting lists slowly reduce.

“The proposed £40 million capital investment in new equipment and repairing the crumbling NHS estate is also welcome. However, there is a close link between the quality of buildings and facilities and the ability increase the number of procedures and tests. Therefore, rewarding those improving fastest with access to additional funding may not be the best way to make headway.

“Given that funding for and levels of elective activity have been capped since January, trusts will need to work harder and be more innovative to maintain this pace and progress. However, this should not detract from the achievement of this significant milestone.”