Worcester MP Robin Walker is pleased to learn that the constituencies of Worcestershire and Herefordshire will receive their share of over £2.5 million, following the announcement to make £200 million available to alleviate winter pressures in hospital this season.
The fund is designed to increase capacity in post-discharge care and support improved flow through hospitals, patient safety, experience and outcomes, following pressures on healthcare services over the winter period. Specifically, the money will finance Integrated Care Boards, designed largely to buy new beds, in turn reducing risk and increasing safety for patients in hospital beds and those waiting to access them. A further £50 million will also be made available to support the creation of ‘modular units’ – these are dedicated spaces to free up beds and help get ambulances back on the road. Robin recognises the importance of ensuring patient comfort and improvement of care and is confident that this money will ease NHS pressures.
The funding follows the announcement that Secretary of Health and Social Care, MP Steve Barclay, made in parliament earlier this month, “[the] further £250 million of funding … will provide immediate support to reduce hospital bed occupancy and decompress A&E pressure and in turn, unlocking much-needed ambulance handovers.” Robin is pleased to hear of this investment and is encouraged by the Secretary’s recognition that pressures on the NHS need relieving over the winter period.
Having championed for investment into the Worcester Royal Hospital in the past, including the opening of a 29-bed unit in July 2022, Robin continues to push for more Government funding into Worcester’s healthcare, and this is no exception. The share of £2.652 million is gratefully accepted to relieve the pressures on the NHS this winter, and Robin continues to encourage individuals to receive their winter flu jab.
I know that the pressures on health social care have been relentless this winter and that discharging patients from hospital is a key priority.
I am glad that this extra funding along with the ongoing investment to improve emergency services will help to relieve the pressure.
For further detailing of the funding, and comments from the Health Secretary, see:
NHS Winter Pressures: 9 Jan 2023: House of Commons debates - TheyWorkForYou
For Robin’s previous comments on investment into the Worcester Royal, see:
For Robin’s comments on people receiving the flu jab, see:
Walker encourages people to get their winter flu jab | Robin Walker (walker4worcester.com)