Heidi Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to figures showing an increase in the number of over 90s going to A&E by ambulance, said:

“These figures confirm that the elderly are bearing the brunt of David Cameron’s A&E crisis.

“It is nothing short of a scandal that thousands of frail elderly people are being rushed through towns by the ambulance service, only to be left in overcrowded A&E departments. The severe cuts we have seen to social care under the Tories have left too many older people without the support they need to remain independent in their own homes.

“Cuts to social care are now having a direct knock-on effect on the NHS, and unless Tory Ministers address the growing crisis in older people’s care, the pressure on hospitals will only be exacerbated.

“Older people are being badly let down by this Tory Government and the neglect of social care cannot go on.”