Can the NHS recover from record waitlists and ongoing strikes before winter?

There are nearly seven and a half million people waiting for hospital treatment in England – and no sign of negotiations to avert more strikes.

So even though it’s only July, health leaders are warning it will be an extremely challenging winter.

Today, NHS England announced plans to boost capacity and get patients back home sooner. They include extra beds and more use of virtual wards. But can it afford them?