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"The process involves the local clinician making a referral, which is then considered by a national panel of experts who assess which patients are eligible," a spokesperson said.

Manager Sian Haddon said: "Week on week the referrals are coming in thick and fast and we're at the point where the demand on our service unfortunately is more than we can meet."

In collaboration with LA Rapid Response Network, the organization is providing legal services including pro bono representation, language translation services and referrals for bond payment for those who have been arrested and detained.

One of Labour's pledges is to ensure more than 90% of patients in England start treatment within 18 weeks of referral.

"We had to get much more strict with our referrals procedure and unfortunately if we opened it wider it could be thousands at the moment," he added.