Jamie Reed MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, responding to NHS England figures on rising operation waiting lists, said:

“These figures reveal waiting lists spiralling upwards at precisely the time of year they should be falling. It’s a worrying sign of what lies ahead for patients as NHS lists reach their longest in years.

"David Cameron’s £3 billion reorganisation placed enormous strain on hospitals. While the chaos in A&Es led to thousands of operations being cancelled and patients rejoining waiting lists.

 "This is further proof David Cameron cannot be trusted with the NHS. He must get a grip of these problems and stop putting patients through unnecessary anguish.”