“Today’s warning from NHS Providers should come as a wake-up call to this Tory Government.

 “Reports of "dangerous” bed shortages this winter putting patient safety at risk are extremely worrying and will lead to yet more patients being left in the back of ambulances or stranded on hospital trolleys for hours on end.

 “At the General Election Labour promised a cash injection to cope with this year’s winter crisis. The Government urgently needs to follow our lead and to heed the advice from health bosses to provide an immediate funding boost this winter to avoid serious harm to patients.“