Commenting on information obtained by the PA news agency on NHS waiting times, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson said:

"Trust leaders are only too aware of the impact of delays in treatment for patients and carers.

"They understand the disruption and distress they may cause, and it is a real concern to hear of exceptionally long delays – even though we do not have all the information about these particular examples.

"Trusts are doing all they can to bear down on care backlogs which have increased during the pandemic for hospital, mental health and community services. But they face extraordinary pressures, including the continuing impact of COVID-19.

"There are more than 16,000 patients in hospital beds with the virus, and 28,000 COVID-related staff absences, compounding severe workforce shortages.

"We also have more than 20,000 patients who are medically fit to leave hospital and continue their recovery at or closer to home, but they can't be discharged because the right care isn't available.

"This is impacting on the NHS' ability to cope with very challenging emergency care pressures, and it's affecting work to bear down on backlogs.

"While some trusts are delivering more elective care than pre-COVID, this context of operational pressure means most can't go as fast as they would like.

"What is needed is realism on what the NHS can achieve and how quickly, given the immediate pressure it is under."