We discuss the impact this is having on access to treatment and medicines and what should have been done to stop it.

Also we talk more about the creation of an elective recovery taskforce and a bigger role for the private sector in taking NHS patients. Plus, the latest on nursing and ambulance staff strikes due to start next week.

Hosted by Annabelle Collins and featuring Ben Clover and Nick Kituno.

You can listen to HSJ Health Check on this page, or subscribe on SpotifyApple Podcasts, Amazon Music and all the other popular podcast platforms.

Send feedback and questions to our journalists to annabelle.collins@hsj.co.uk.