NHS worst beds crisis

The NHS is set for its worst winter crisis ever with half of hospitals already packed.

Bed occupancy rates are over 95 per cent in 72 NHS trusts – 10 per cent above official safety levels.

And 24 of those are 98 per cent full with almost no capacity for more patients, Labour’s analysis shows.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “Winter’s only just begun.

“Our NHS needs an urgent plan. Patients won’t forgive a repeat of last year’s winter crisis.”