Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns has welcomed news that the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (Peterborough) and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust are set to receive a whopping £8.7 million between them to support A&E capacity ahead of the winter months.
The extra funding means the Trusts will be able to increase their A&E capacity, implement enhanced infection control measures and make improvements to emergency and urgent triage services.
Across England, the Government is providing £300 million to A&E departments, with work to be completed by the start of next year so hospitals can benefit from the upgrades during the peak of winter.
Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, said:
“Our local NHS staff have been true heroes throughout the pandemic and I wish to thank them for everything they have done to get our community through this most difficult of times.
“It is the duty of a responsible Government to be prepared for any and all eventualities and while we hope for the best this winter, it is right that we plan for the worst. I welcome that this funding will ensure we are in the best possible position for the challenges that the winter months may bring.”
The funding comes on top of the additional £3 billion that the Prime Minister recently announced to help prepare the NHS for the winter months ahead. This funding will allow the NHS to continue to use the extra hospital capacity acquired from the independent sector through the coronavirus pandemic, and also to maintain the Nightingale hospitals until the end of March next year.
Alicia Kearns MP continues to work with local NHS trusts to support them throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Funding figures breakdown:
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: £2 million
- Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: £1 million
- North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (Peterborough): £3.7 million
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust: £2 million
