HOSPITALS are likely to struggle in the coming months under a combination of winter pressures, Covid-19 and staff shortages, an NHS leader warned yesterday. 

Dr Layla McCay, a director at the NHS Confederation, said that the expected surge in demand is “causing concern” among staff. 

Winter is usually a very difficult time for the health service, with cold weather bringing a surge in flu, vomiting bugs and respiratory problems that prompts annual warnings of a winter crisis.