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Senior NHS doctors warn of 'winter crisis' in A&E

Senior consultants in the NHS have told ITV News that the accident and emergency service is heading for a winter crisis.

Four doctors say around 50 hospitals are already struggling - and as the winter weather worsens, they predict the crisis will worsen too unless urgent action is taken.

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Labour: Doctors and patients are crying out for help

David Cameron must listen to doctors and patients "cries for help" and act to ease the pressure on A&Es, the shadow health secretary has said.

After senior consultants told ITV News that departments were heading for a "winter crisis", Andy Burnham accused the Government of trapping A&Es in a "downward spiral".

Doctors should not have to take to the TV screens to get their voices heard but that is what they are having to do under this Government.

David Cameron's abolition of guaranteed access to GP services and undermining of social care has left hospitals under intolerable pressure.

He has trapped A&Es in a downward spiral and, as doctors leave in their droves, the problems are only getting worse. As a result, patients are facing a difficult winter of trolley waits and ambulances queues.

Now that front-line A&E doctors have spoken out in this way, David Cameron can no longer ignore this crisis on his watch. Doctors and patients are crying out for help and he must act now.

– Andy Burnham

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