Commenting on Jeremy Hunt’s suggestion that the four hour A&E target no longer apply to minor illnesses, Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said:

“Abandoning the four hour target is a total admission of failure by the Government. 

“It’s extraordinary that their only response to the Winter crisis is neither a cash injection for social care, nor clear moves to put the NHS on a proper financial footing but to instead to suggest a downgrade of the four hour A&E target. 

“Doesn’t this show the extent to which Theresa May and ministers are completely out of touch with what’s happening in our NHS this Winter.”