A Royal College of Physicians (RCP) survey found just 10% of members were confident their hospital could safely manage winter pressures.

Dr Hilary Williams, clinical vice president of the RCP, said: ‘It's concerning to see our physician members tell us that they are not confident their hospitals can safely manage the pressures of the coming winter. We have long-standing, systemic issues in the NHS – from rising A&E attendances to delays in discharge – that cannot be resolved overnight.'

Limited capacity, use of temporary care environments and staffing shortages followed by risk of burnout topped doctors' concerns.

Dr Williams said action was needed to bolster social care and community services, including palliative care, improve patient flow, increase bed capacity and support frontline staff.

Over half (51%) of those surveyed said that they were aware their hospitals plan to open temporary beds to cope, but nearly two in five (39%) said they were unaware of any measures being taken. Nearly half (43%) said they were not confident that current plans will make a positive difference.

The call followed NHS statistics this week showing waiting lists rising for the third consecutive month with demand at record levels.

Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said ‘we are under no illusion that the NHS will face many of the challenges it confronts every year'.

Deighton added: ‘Bed capacity remains limited while the long-term changes that will help resolve winter pressures – including reforms to social care and the pledged investment in specialist mental health crisis centres – are yet to begin.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘It is shocking corridor care has become a feature of the NHS and we are working at pace to turn around more than a decade of neglect.

‘Despite NHS Accident and Emergency departments facing their busiest August ever, ambulance response times and handovers are the fastest they have been since the pandemic. 

‘But we know there's more to do. That's why we are expanding urgent and emergency capacity and upgrading hundreds of ambulances across the country, backed by an extra £450m.'