An MP has bemoaned the lack of NHS funding as hospitals in his area continue to struggle with increasing winter pressures.

Gareth Thomas, who represents Harrow West, called on Prime Minister Theresa May to ensure that money is set aside to ease the stress experienced by the health service.

He noted how hospitals in North-West London are facing an increase in demand while suffering from decreasing resources and, as a result, are failing to meet their targets.

“Harrow has received the lowest level of funding for the NHS per person of any London borough over the last five years, and we are now seeing that hospitals are struggling to cope with the immense pressure they are under,” he said.

“The closure of the A&E department at Central Middlesex, a crisis in social care with more than a million people nationwide with unmet care needs, and inadequate funding for the NHS have all contributed to this crisis.

“Our NHS staff are doing an amazing job in the circumstances, but these are not new warnings and it is vital that Theresa May delivers the funding our NHS needs to provide patients with the care they deserve.”

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Northwick Park Hospital, failed to hit its targets in both A&E and planned operations last month.

Just over 82 per cent of patients who went to A&E were treated or admitted within the target time of four hours, with the current goal standing at 95 per cent.

The target of 92 per cent of planned operations and care taking place within 18 weeks of referral was also missed.

Just over 85 per cent of patients started treatment within this timeframe, which was four per cent lower than the average across England.

The trust did meet the 85 per cent target on cancer care, with 87 per cent of patients starting treatment within 62 days.

Arshiya Khan, chief operating officer at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, explained how and why things worsen over the winter period and reiterated the nationwide plea for people to only attend the emergency department if strictly necessary.

She said: “Like other hospitals in London and across the country, we have experienced sustained pressure since Christmas.

“This is due to the high number of people seeking emergency medical care, combined with a much higher number of frail older patients who require social support to be discharged from hospital.

“Our staff are a credit to the Trust and the entire NHS, and they are working tirelessly to see everyone in a safe and timely manner.

“As always, we will triage and treat our sickest patients first. This means that some people may experience longer waits while we treat those most in need.

“We are asking our local communities to help us during this very busy time and attend our emergency departments for serious and life-threatening injuries and conditions only.

“If you are unsure whether you need emergency care please call NHS 111 for advice.”

The London North West trust is the second-busiest in the capital, with thousands of patients making use of its services every day.

In spite of this, it has cancelled just six ‘day case’ operations since the start of January.

Ms Khan offered her apologies to those who have been affected and explained how these six patients have been given new operation dates. She added that no cancer and urgent operations have been cancelled.