The NHS faces a storm come early

Responding to the latest set of NHS performance and winter sitrep statistics, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Daniel Elkeles, said:

"The NHS is in the thick of a storm come early.

"Flu is hitting hard, and shows no sign of abating.

"Other winter bugs are surging.

"Winter planning has helped, but patients are seeing the impact.

"Progress on elective waiting lists has stalled and waits across community and mental health services remain at historic high levels.  

"Remarkably, performance against the four hour target in A&E and ambulance response times are better than 12 months ago, but the number of 12 hour waits is very worrying.

"Now more than ever, the NHS needs all hands on deck.

"We have to hope that BMA resident doctors will step back from next week’s strike, take up the government’s sensible offer, and end their damaging dispute."