PATIENTS’ access to healthcare when they are in urgent need is “worsening” and improving services will be a “significant challenge” for the NHS, a damning report revealed today.

It comes at a time when more people than ever are seeking unplanned and urgent NHS care, according to the National Audit Office (NAO) study.

The report sets out a number of struggles patients face when trying to access urgent and emergency care, including a record hospital bed occupancy.