The NHS is facing 'serious problems' with strikes impacting record NHS waiting lists, the health secretary has said.

Victoria Atkins told the BBC avoiding a winter crisis in the NHS was her 'number one priority' and planning for the season had started 'much earlier than usual'.

When asked by BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg if she acknowledged there are serious problems in the NHS, Ms Atkins said: 'Well, yes, and this is why we have record funding into the NHS but also we have a series of plans to tackle, for example, urgent and emergency care.

'Of course, we know that the NHS, like every other healthcare system in the world, when temperatures drop, is going to come under pressure.'

Recent figures from NHS England show the overall waiting list reached 7.77 million at the end of September - the highest it has ever been.

This consists of around 6.5 million patients, with some waiting for more than one treatment.

Meanwhile, there are 761 fewer GPs than there were four years ago, and the average ambulance response time for the likes of heart attacks and strokes stands at 42 minutes - more than double the target.

Ms Atkins also said that strikes had 'really had an impact on waiting lists'.

She said: 'Since December last year we've seen some 1.1 million appointments have to be rescheduled.

'And so when I was appointed as Health Secretary I wanted to try to address the industrial action with doctors.

'If we remove the threat of industrial action from the NHS, then those people who for example, in the October set of actions, we had 40,000 appointments being rescheduled each day, well then that stops and we are able to get on with the business of looking after people.'

She added that the NHS 'has been working very hard' to prepare for this winter, with 5,000 beds being built in hospitals and more ambulances on the road.

Last week Ms Atkins, who replaced Steve Barclay in the role, struck a deal with consultants in England that could potentially solve a bitter pay dispute.

However, nursing leaders have warned they could strike again in the new year unless they receive an improved pay offer, as the pay deal for consultants came on top of a rise that was already larger than that offered to nurses.

Responding to the interview, Professor Nicola Ranger, Royal College of Nursing Chief Nurse, said: 'The Health Secretary admits that this winter is going to be extremely challenging for nursing staff and their patients.

'The government must be careful not to overclaim success when so many shifts are understaffed and the number of unfilled nurse jobs is still over 40,000. One nurse is often left caring for 10, 15 or more patients and that is often unsafe.

'With longer waits for ambulances, record waiting lists and bed occupancy at 95 per cent, the NHS cannot afford complacency.'