The ‘crisis’ in A&E can partly be attributed to crumbling social services and the inability to free up hospital beds.

This has not happened overnight and Labour must take their full share of the blame.

Equally, we have not suddenly become an ageing population. Demographic forecasts decades ago highlighted the inevitable pressure that would eventually be placed on the NHS.

Again Labour did nothing and with a general election looming they have decided to ‘weaponise’ this issue, turning it into a political football, and relying on the electorate’s short memory.

For those who have forgotten I would remind them of the two main reasons why A&E waiting times are increasing and both can be laid firmly at Labour’s door.

Firstly, in 2004, Blair’s government made ridiculous alterations to GP contracts so that they were no longer responsible for out of hours calls.

Secondly, from 2003 onward, by their own admission, they allowed and subjected the UK to uncontrolled immigration, putting an unsustainable burden on GP practices, leading to the impossibility of getting a doctor’s appointment within a fortnight.

Both have led to more people going direct to A&E. The established fact that many immigrants fail to register with a GP and consider the hospital their first port of call has not helped either.

The NHS is an institution. Funding is ring fenced. There are too many overpaid chiefs and not enough Indians.

Obesity is the next ticking time bomb.

The world has changed since 1948 and, like it or not, the only solution I can see if we want 21st century health care is for the introduction of some form of compulsory medical insurance.

Trouble is these days everybody expects something for nothing.

Chris Dunford, Woodbourne Avenue, Brighton