In a speech to Liberal Democrat party conference Sir Ed Davey called for a new taskforce to end the ‘annual winter crises’ in the NHS.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

“Politicians of all parties need to get behind the ‘next generation’ NHS to make it fit for the future.

"The NHS has had its busiest summer ever and trusts expect another tough winter. Pressure on hospital, community health, mental health and ambulance services is relentless.

"Trusts and their teams this winter will be pulling out all the stops to keep patients safe. NHS staff face another busy time knowing they don’t have all the tools to do the job they need to provide first-class care.

“To improve patient care and boost productivity the NHS needs significantly more capital investment alongside wider reforms.

“Things will only get better if trusts, working flat out now to cut wating lists and to see patients as quickly as possible, get long-term investment to end chronic workforce shortages and meet growing demand. A truly ‘next generation’ health service needs more investment in digital technology, in improving prevention and public health, and reform of social care.”