Responding to the NHS performance statistics published today, which shows a record-high waiting list, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers said:

"As we enter the junior doctors' five-day strike, the longest in NHS history, waiting lists are at a record high of 7.47 million amid relentless pressure on urgent and emergency care services.

"Chronic workforce shortages and a lack of physical capacity cross the NHS and social care are hindering trusts' ability to improve waiting times and cut the backlog. On top of that, ongoing industrial action is adding to the weight of demand on hospital, ambulance, mental health and community services.

"Trusts have made notable gains despite tough circumstances. They have delivered more diagnostic tests and checks compared to any May on record and carried out 13% more cancer checks compared to May 2019.

"However, their hard-won progress is at risk without national action to address the challenges they face.

"While the NHS long-term workforce plan promises to help shore up vital resources, we desperately need one for social care. The government's failure to invest properly in social care is having a huge impact on the NHS, including leading to delays in discharging patients from hospital when they are well enough to leave.

"It's vital we see an urgent resolution to the pay dispute. The government must agree to fully fund a pay uplift for striking staff."

You can follow our analysis of the latest performance figures from NHS England through our NHS Activity Tracker campaign.