Responding to the latest NHS performance figures from NHS England, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“These figures reflect a health service under sustained pressure working flat out to raise its game.

“The challenges this winter have been compounded by winter viruses and continuing high levels of delayed discharges and demand for beds.

“Trusts are only too aware that these pressures can have a direct impact on the standard of care they are able to provide, with some people waiting far too long for the care they need.

“Delays for emergency care are a particular concern, including 12-hour waits in A&E after a decision to admit, which were up significantly this winter compared to last year.

“We know that a significant proportion of those long waits are for mental health patients who need treatment in another, more appropriate setting.

“And despite increased NHS cancer activity, growing demand means we’re not seeing that reflected in progress against the performance targets.

“However, there are areas of encouragement. The increased checks and tests will make a real difference for patients, and it’s good to see progress in reducing the longest waits for planned treatment.

“Trust leaders are increasingly worried though that their hard work to transform services, reduce waiting lists, and see patients as quickly as possible could be jeopardised amid calls to find further stringent savings.

“With budgets severely squeezed and trust leaders already warning that next year could be the toughest yet for their finances, the prospect of scaling back or stopping services and reducing staff is a bleak, but likely, prospect.”