• Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, has said that all elective operations will be postponed from 15 April at the latest.
• This announcement is part of the strategy to increase NHS capacity to deal with coronavirus.
  
  

Commenting on the announcement by Simon Stevens, to postpone routine hospital operations from 15 April at the latest, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson said:

"This is sensible. Trusts need to increase bed capacity to deal with the added pressures of coronavirus. Postponing elective operations in this way will free up beds, space and staff to support this effort, strengthening their ability to provide critical care. While this will be disappointing for those waiting for treatment, it is clearly a necessary move. It's helpful that individual trusts will have appropriate flexibility to adapt to their particular circumstances."

Postponing elective operations in this way will free up beds, space and staff to support this effort, strengthening their ability to provide critical care.