HOSPITAL waiting list figures “present a challenging outlook for the NHS” ahead of “one of the toughest winters it has ever faced,” the Health Foundation warned today.

NHS England data showed the waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England fell slightly in September following three consecutive rises in June, July and August.

A&E attendances and ambulance incidents were also both a record for the month of October, with thousands of resident doctors across England preparing to strike for five days from 7am tomorrow.

Health Foundation assistant director of policy Tim Gardner said the figures “present a challenging outlook for the NHS” saying that “restoring the 18-week standard by the end of this parliament remains a tall order.”

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said “there’s no doubt NHS staff will be approaching their limits this winter.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting insisted the NHS is “now on the road to recovery.”