An Ailing NHS

The NHS in England may suffer its worst winter in recent history if it does not receive an emergency bailout, hospital chiefs are warning.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: "Last winter the health service came under pressure as never before. This winter could be worse... Unless we get extra money, patients will be put at greater risk as local trusts won't have the beds and staff they need to meet the extra demand we will face."

The Colchester Hospital University chief executive, Nick Hulme, said "Our major concern going into this winter is staff - we are 50 junior doctors short on our rotas across the hospital. Every day is a constant struggle."

 John Lawlor, who is chief executive of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust said: "Pressures on staffing, especially in psychiatry, are beginning to impact on services."

They say the cash is needed to pay for extra staff and beds because attempts to improve NHS finances have failed. Latest figures show A&E waits and bed shortages remain "stubbornly" bad. The target to see most patients in A&E within four hours has been missed for two years now, while bed occupancy rates remain above recommended levels.

Delays in discharging patients, and workforce shortages, were hampering efforts.

The NHS budget had increased by only 1.3% this year compared to a 5% rise in demand.