Responding to the NHS performance statistics published today, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers said:

"These figures show pressure continues to pile on an overstretched NHS.

"Trust leaders face record demand in urgent and emergency care – last month was the busiest May on record for A&E attendances – along with many other challenges.  

"Not only are they still recovering from one of the toughest winters ever, but they're having to manage escalating strikes and worrying levels of staff burnout.

"Every part of the NHS is under strain including community and mental health services, while ambulances had the highest number of face-to-face callouts since last May and an increase in life-threatening incidents.

"Given the circumstances, trust leaders have been making remarkable progress reducing the longest waits for elective care, cutting down the diagnostic waiting list, and ensuring more people are starting urgent treatment for cancer compared to a year ago.

"However, demand continues to outstrip capacity in the NHS, and it's not sustainable.

"We need action on a national level, including the publication of the long-awaited long-term workforce plan from the government, which must be fully funded and costed.

"We also need a resolution to the pay disputes between the government and health unions. It's vital all sides re-enter negotiations without delay."

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