The Latest Breaking News from NHS Confederation

Exclusive: bill for repairs backlog runs to £9bn and waiting lists are lengthening because of lack of capital to improve infrastructure

The UK has the second lowest number of beds per 1,000 people in the EU according to survey

Downing Street said that it was “alive to the pressures” that the NHS is facing

The latest Covid data show a huge 38.3 per cent week-on-week fall in people testing positive for the virus while hospitalisations have remained stable - but the number of tests has plummeted

The NHS Confederation accused the Government of seemingly "washing its hands of responsibility".

Covid deaths in the UK are up by 45 per cent this week, with NHS Confederation boss Matthew Taylor warning: "The brutal reality for staff and patients is that this Easter in the NHS is as bad as any winter"

The NHS Confederation has urged ministers to back "mitigating actions" such as curbs on meeting indoors and masks in crowded spaces

The group has warned of a 'brutal' Easter, but the Government has rejected its calls

"NHS leaders and their teams feel abandoned by the Government and they deserve better.”