NHS will struggle to cope with winter crisis, with four out of five doctors fearing the worst

FOUR in five doctors claim the NHS will struggle to cope this winter.

A British Medical Association poll found 78 per cent believe the health service is at greater risk of buckling compared to previous years.

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Bed-blocking reached record levels in September, and hospitals missed a raft of key targets. NHS figures reveal A&E targets were missed for the 14th month in a row.

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Just 90.6 per cent of casualty patients were dealt with in four hours, under the aimed-for 95 per cent. And 68.3 per cent of the most urgent 999 calls got a response in eight minutes, against a 75 per cent target.

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The BMA quizzed 457 doctors. Nearly all said a lack of beds was a major issue, followed by delays in sending patients home. Dr Mark Porter, chairman of the BMA’s council, said: “Hospitals are having a year-round crisis.”