Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to NHS data released this morning showing hospitals have missed the operation waiting time target for a second month running, said:

“It is now clear that the NHS has gone seriously backwards under this Government. Waiting lists for operations are at their longest in years and it is getting harder and harder to get a GP appointment.

“Under David Cameron, more and more patients are facing the agonising choice of waiting in pain or paying to go private. This is what always happens when you have Tories in charge of the NHS. It is unacceptable and the Government must set out a plan to stop people waiting.

“Labour left waiting times at a record low but they’ve crept up and up under David Cameron. It explains why people simply don’t trust him with the NHS.”