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Tory cuts have left the NHS on the verge of collapse, a shocking report warns today.

Chronic underfunding is putting lives at risk as stretched staff struggle to cope, the Care Quality Commission reveals.

After years of being told by the Tories the NHS is safe in its hands, the true desperate state of the service under their watch is today laid bare in a damning report.

Experts warn the system is at the “tipping point” of collapse thanks to chronic underfunding, cuts, an aging population and a social care crisis that is driving patients into packed A&Es.

And the report by the independent Care Quality Commission found more than half of hospitals, care homes and GP surgeries inspected had got worse or made no improvement since the last checks.

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Among the shocking details was the ­revelation that around 800,000 Britons are registered with family doctors in unsafe practices. The watchdog said 4% of surgeries were given the worst rating of “inadequate” when it comes to safety.

Problems include out-of-date drugs, poor staff training, clinical waste undisposed of and unsuitable premises. The report said: “We have concerns about safety.” CQC chief David Behan added: “This is not acceptable.”

A further 22% of surgeries were deemed to “require improvement” for safety. And only half England’s GP estimated 8,000 practices have been inspected since the programme began in 2014 – meaning the number of patients registered with unsafe ones could still soar.

The Royal College of GPs insisted most surgeries do “an excellent job” of delivering safe services. But chair Professor Maureen Baker warned: “The biggest threat to patient safety is tired doctors and practice staff who are worn out as a result of trying to manage ­rocketing patient demand against a backdrop of dwindling resources.”

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The CQC’s annual State of Care report warned all NHS services are under unprecedented pressure.

It insisted most patients receive quality and ­compassionate care from staff but there are fears the system cannot ­maintain such high standards while facing an onslaught of ideological Tory cuts many believe are being imposed to pave the way for privatisation.

And despite the best efforts of doctors and nurses, many patients are receiving “very poor care” within the NHS. There were record amounts of bed-blocking and growing queues at A&Es .

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National Voices charities coalition said the report “exposes the effects of chronic underfunding”. Chief executive Jeremy Taylor added: “Today we see people left to fund their own care, providers unable to deliver services, and a knock-on effect on overstretched NHS services as people repeatedly need help due to inadequate care arrangements. There is an urgent need for more money for health and care.”

Patients’ Association chief Katherine Murphy called the report “sobering”. She added: “The pressures are becoming so great that the health and social care sector is struggling to meet demand.”

Shadow minister for mental health and social care Barbara Keeley said: “This report should set alarm bells ringing across government about the very real crisis facing health and care services.”

The CQC called for urgent action and more cash to tackle the problem.

Despite the damning report, the Government last night insisted the NHS was “performing well” and it was boosting the amount of cash available for social care by “up to £3.5billion”.