Responding to the news that the NHS backlog has hit 7 million, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper said:

"Behind these figures are countless human tragedies. In every corner of the country people are frightened, suffering and waiting in pain because our NHS can no longer cope. 

"This Conservative government has brought the NHS to its knees and patients are paying the price. This cannot go on.

"The Government must come forward with a proper plan to bring down waiting times and recruit more NHS staff, starting by scrapping their tax cut for wealthy corporations."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Standard's report of the figures can be found here