Responding to the annual A&E activity figures published by NHS Digital, which show 25.3 million people attended A&E in 2022-23, up 4% on the year before, Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers said:

"These figures show trusts are working incredibly hard to respond to rising demand by seeing more patients than ever before.

"This is remarkable given the relentless pressure on urgent and emergency care services and the wider sector.

"However, demand continues to outstrip capacity, which means too many patients are having to wait longer for care and treatment.

"Shortages of staff, beds and equipment, as well as the need for proper investment in the NHS estate, social care, and more preventative support, are putting the health service under an alarming level of stress.

"Strikes are also piling on the pressure. By the end of this week, more than a million patients will have had their appointments and procedures pushed back due to industrial action.

"This is incredibly distressing for all involved as trust leaders and their staff are unable to give patients the timely, high-quality care they deserve.

"We desperately need better investment in capital as well as confirmation of how committed funds will deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

"The most pressing need, though, is a resolution to the strikes. This can only be found by government and unions talking to each other about pay."