Data published by NHS England has revealed that last month was the busiest May on record for A&E departments across the country.

2,240,070 people a day visited A&E in May, 4,500 more patients a day compared to April.

May did feature three bank holiday weekends, which usually see busier A&Es.

The stats also revealed that the average waiting time for elective appointments decreased to 13.8 weeks (from 14.1 weeks).

NHS National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “Despite the NHS continuing to see high levels of demand across urgent and emergency care, hard-working staff are continuing to deliver improvements as set out in our urgent and emergency recovery plan.

“Even as hospitals dealt with the most disruptive industrial action in its history, average waits for people on the waiting list dropped to just under 14 weeks – the lowest it’s been since before winter.

“We knew the overall waiting list would continue to increase for a time as people who may have put off coming forward for care over the past few years of the pandemic sought help, and that demand would be reflected in other areas as well – today’s data shows another record 12 months for cancer treatment and referrals, with more than ever before getting checked and starting treatment. We continue to urge people to come forward because the earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.”