THE NHS cannot cope witout an increase in its budget, health leaders warned today as they called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to avoid a “have our cake and eat it” approach to funding.

NHS Providers called for more investment in the health service, which is facing a “perfect storm” as winter approaches.

On top of the traditional winter pressures, the NHS faces multiple new challenges, including the threat of a second spike of Covid-19 cases, rebuilding services that have been disrupted by the pandemic, staff in danger of burnout and additional needs for infection control, NHS Providers said.