David Cameron insisted the number of nurses is rising in Redbridge and Waltham Forest yesterday, despite claims there are thousands of NHS frontline vacancies.

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer raised concerns over figures from the Royal College of Nursing, which claimed London has over 8,000 posts unfilled.

These figures come after Accident and Emergency departments at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone and King George hospital in Goodmayes faced under unprecedented demand this winter.

Last week ambulances had to be diverted away from Whipps Cross and on Tuesday morning and 36 patients were unable to be admitted as wards were full to capacity.

Despite opposition, the A&E at King George is earmarked for closure, despite hundreds of ambulances being forced to wait outside for more than half an hour over Christmas due to demand.

The Prime Minister yesterday dismissed claims of staff shortages, saying the number of nurses were on the increase in Waltham Forest and Redbridge.

He also said funding in the NHS had been significantly increased since the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition took power.

He said: “If we look at the NHS Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group, this year it’s getting an increase in funding of 4.79% and the numbers of staff in that are up.

“I make one further point to him that he might want to bring home to his own local authorities, and I think this is important when we consider what is happening in social care.

“He has two authorities, Redbridge, who’s seen their reserves go up by £65 million since 2010, and Waltham Forest, which has gone up by £26 million since 2010.

“That is what’s happening and that is actually what we provide.

“Finally, let me give him the information on Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Newham as a whole, in terms of the winter funding money.

"That has provided 22 more doctors, 27 more nurses and 146 more beds.”

In a new series on the NHS, the Guardian will feature experiences of patients, their families and staff of treatment provided across east London and west Essex. As A&Es continue to struggle with demand and politicians argue over the future of healthcare, we will publish first-hand accounts, features and news stories on the latest developments. We want to hear from you if you have something to say about your local hospital, GP surgery, or clinic. Click here for contact details of reporters covering your area. Alternatively, you can submit a story here.