I’ve written to the Prime Minister asking for an urgent solution to the emergency in our NHS. Some patient testimonies recently shared with me by constituents are among the most alarming I’ve read in my time as an MP. But having raised these cases at PMQs and at this week’s Health statement, neither the PM nor the Health Secretary showed much sympathy for these constituents’ situation, also failing to offer a straight answer as to how they will fix this crisis.

For years the Government has ignored workforce gaps that have threatened the health sector and worsened working conditions for staff. While the Tories are keen to blame all these problems on the pandemic and an increase in winter viral infections, these issues pre-date the pandemic and services are having to respond to extreme pressures all year round. It’s no surprise that nurses, call handlers, physiotherapists and ambulance staff are going on strike.

Rishi Sunak neither has a plan, nor a clue as to how bad pressures are. Why would he when he’s now admitted to using private healthcare? Maybe, as Ken Clarke suggests, it’s time we had Labour in charge as the Conservatives need a rest from governing.