HOW much more can the NHS be squeezed before it reaches the point of collapse?

We saw just last weekend how vulnerable outdated NHS computer systems were to cyber attack. The cash-strapped Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), meanwhile - which effectively pays for health care in the York area - has already announced plans to cut £50 million from NHS services over the next four years. We revealed last month how, as part of its cost-cutting plans, it was considering offering patients suffering from conditions such as Parkinson’s or dementia care placements outside the York area, leading to real concerns about them being separated from their loved ones.

Today comes yet another warning. Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Cullwick, who sits on York council’s health scrutiny committee, says the CCG is being placed in a ‘capped expenditure process’ by NHS England. This will presumably put a restriction on any extra expenditure in future.

The danger is that, unless emergency funding can be found, basic health services in the York area could be under threat, Cllr Cullwick claims.

“It is hard to see how the CCG will be able to meet its obligations under the NHS Constitution, such as 18-week maximum waiting times and 2-week maximum waiting times for cancer,” he warned.

There may be a bit of politics being played here.

But we have all seen the effects of the increasing strain the NHS is under.

This is an issue that should take centre stage in the political debate as the election grows nearer. That debate must not be completely hijacked by Brexit. The very future of the NHS could be at stake.