Health secretary Steve Barclay has warned that the NHS cannot wait for a new prime minister to tackle the emergency crisis it is currently facing.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Barclay warned that hospitals could face very serious challenges in the autumn and winter, caused by flu and another Covid wave.

He said he was preparing for reasonable worst-case scenarios, and that decisions including hiring staff from overseas could not be delayed.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he said he was preparing for "reasonable worst-case scenarios".

He claimed hiring more foreign nurses in social care could help relieve pressure on hospital beds if discharge times was sped up.