REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has welcomed a £3.9million local health services have received from the Department of Health to help deal with winter pressures.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will receive £1.3million in winter revenue funding, announced by the Chancellor last month.
The remaining £2.6million will be shared between the Acute Trust, the county’s three clinical commissioning groups and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust.
The cash will be used to move the Frailty Unit at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch to seven-day working, further expand the Evergreen 2 Ward at Worcestershire Royal by increasing beds and staff, and buying additional nursing home beds for patients to support their discharge from hospital.
The number of district nurses and other community-based healthcare staff will also be increased so more patients can be cared for in their homes.
The Trust is already in a stronger position this winter compared to last year thanks to a £920,000 Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit at the Royal and the Alex’s Frailty Unit which are both helping to reduce admissions to A&E.
“I am absolutely delighted health services here in Worcestershire are receiving this significant cash boost to help them better prepare and manage the busy winter period ahead,” said Mrs Maclean.
The public have been asked to help by visiting A&E only in emergencies.
