Responding to Sir Jim Mackey’s update to NHS leaders, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

"This letter rightly acknowledges the very significant progress already made by NHS leaders in addressing the overall projected deficit.

"This has been achieved at a time of huge financial and operational pressures, with the added concern of major organisational upheaval.

"Trust leaders are keenly aware of the need to ensure every pound of NHS money is well spent, but no one should underestimate the scale of the efficiency challenge expected of them.

"Plans must be rooted in reality.

"Cuts have consequences which leaders will work to mitigate as this process moves forward.

"Plans to scrap the cap on the amount paid to hospitals and independent providers on planned care will be welcomed. No trust leader wants patients to wait a moment longer than needed for checks, scans and treatment.”