NHS chiefs warn that hospitals in England are on the brink of collapse

Theresa May urged to boost funding or ration care to head off escalating cash crisis and avoid ‘1990s-style decline’

The body that represents hospitals across England has issued a startling warning that the NHS is close to breaking point because of its escalating cash crisis.

Years of underfunding have left the service facing such “impossible” demands that without urgent extra investment in November’s autumn statement it will have to cut staff, bring in charges or introduce “draconian rationing” of treatment – all options that will provoke public disquiet, it says.