Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to reports in Health Service Journal that East of England Ambulance Service is considering use of the military to cover staff shortages this winter, said:

“It’s just astonishing that this Tory Government has left the NHS so understaffed that ambulance chiefs are begging for volunteers and turning to the military for help.

“Tory ministers never seem to learn the lessons of winter, instead complacently leaving the NHS woefully underprepared once again. It means misery, longer waits and distress for patients with hospitals overcrowded and operations cancelled in record numbers.

“Rather than dither and delay Ministers must bring forward a winter action plan now and say how they will fund the NHS this winter to ensure that all services keep running safely for patients.”