Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to today’s figures from NHS England on record-breaking low performance in A&E departments said:

“Last week was the worst week on record for patients waiting at A&E but the Government is acting as if it’s not happening. Ministers can’t carry on like this.

“Before the Commons breaks for Christmas, Ministers need to come and set out the measures they will take to help the NHS cope over the Christmas period.

“Labour has been warning the Government for months about the growing crisis in A&E but it has failed to act. But even Ministers must now accept that these figures are a worrying wake up call. They are proof you can’t trust the Tories with the NHS.

“Labour will rescue the NHS with a £2.5 billion a year Time to Care fund - on top of Tory spending plans - to fund new staff, including 20,000 more nurses.

“David Cameron has allowed A&E to sink into crisis and must now accept his responsibility to turn it around.”