PM David Cameron will today pledge to prevent a winter A&E meltdown by ploughing £500million into struggling hospitals.

    The cash will be used to help cut growing casualty queues over the next two years.

    It will be targeted at hospitals identified as being under the most pressure as the cold weather approaches.

    In particular, ministers want to reduce the number of elderly patients being sent to A&E from care homes.

    Opening hours will be boosted at walk-in centres and pharmacies to take the pressure off casualty staff, while consultants will assess A&E arrivals to decide the most appropriate level of care.

    Mr Cameron said: “By acting now, we can ensure doctors, nurses and NHS staff have the support they need and patients are not left facing excessive waits.”

    But Shadow health minister Jamie Reed said: “The crisis is a symptom of wider problems in the NHS and care system.”

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