PM blames strikes as NHS waiting list hits 7.7 million high

A RECORD 7.7 million people are on a hospital waiting list in England, grim figures show.

- Martyn Brown

The total at the end of July represents nearly one in seven people and is a jump of more than 100,000 in a month.

It means Rishi Sunak's pledge to bring down waiting lists is under threat. The Prime Minister, who yesterday visited North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, blamed strikes for adding to the pressures facing the NHS.

Ministers have announced an extra £200million for the NHS this winter. This is on top of a £250million boost already announced this summer, which is helping pay for 5,000 extra hospital beds and 10,000 virtual beds where patients are supported at home by doctors for conditions that would normally lead to a hospital admission.