• NHS England publish later winter monitoring figures
• Bed occupancy remains over 95%
  
  

Responding to the latest sets of performance data from NHS England, NHS Providers deputy chief executive, Saffron Cordery, said: 

"These figures encapsulate the story of this winter for the health service.

 "NHS trusts and frontline staff pulled out all the stops to keep services running, and managed to treat more patients than ever – a really significant achievement.

The prolonged financial squeeze and workforce shortages have compromised the ability of the NHS to respond in a safe and timely way to spikes in demand

"But the reality is that large parts of the health service have been in survival-mode for much of the winter

"The NHS was unable to match the relentless rise in demand for care. Consequently, too many patients suffered delays, distress and inconvenience while staff were put under intolerable pressure.

"Of course the cold weather combined with high rates of flu and norovirus symptoms were major factors.

"But the prolonged financial squeeze and workforce shortages have compromised the ability of the NHS to respond in a safe and timely way to spikes in demand.

"We need to see urgent steps put in place to ensure sustainable long term funding for health and social care."