The British Government has announced that nine hundred new hospital beds will be delivered across the NHS as part of £250 million government funding to help treat patients more quickly this winter.
The Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay who made the announcement on Monday said this funding has been awarded to NHS trusts to relieve pressures and help cut waiting lists, one of government’s top five priorities.
It stated further that Thirty NHS organisations across England will benefit from the investment in urgent and emergency care services.
This includes developing or expanding urgent treatment centres and same day emergency care services which will help patients to be seen more quickly, without being admitted to hospital. NHS England expects that the majority of schemes will be completed by January to help deal with winter pressures.
Adding that the investment is part of the NHS Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan, published in January, which set out plans to provide over 5,000 additional permanent, fully staffed hospital beds in total, with the NHS on track to deliver this by winter.
Reacting to this development, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said, “Cutting waiting lists is one of my top five priorities, so this year the govt started planning for winter earlier than ever before and the public can be reassured we are backing the NHS with the resources it needs.
He added that, “These 900 new beds will mean more people can be treated quickly, speeding up flow through hospitals and reducing frustratingly long waits for treatment”, the Prime Minister said.
Also, the Health and Social Care Secretary said, “We know that winter is a difficult time so we’re working to get ahead of pressures whilst also creating a sustainable NHS fit for the future.
“That’s why we’re investing this £250 million to support NHS capacity and deliver 900 new beds, as part of our drive to put in place 5,000 permanent additional beds.
“Creating additional hospital capacity will support staff to provide the best possible care and treat patients more quickly, helping us to improve waiting times and cut waiting lists – one of the government’s top five priorities”, Barclay said.
Meanwhile, In total, the schemes will create 900 beds which includes over 60 intermediate care beds and improving assessment spaces and cubicles in A&E.
Examples of schemes include Peterborough City Hospital, where £12.5 million will be used to provide 72 hospital beds through the conversion of underutilised non-clinical space.
In London at the Northwick Park Hospital, a 32 bed modular acute medical ward is being created through a £22.6 million investment to increase the hospital’s capacity this winter.
Several trusts will develop or expand urgent treatment centres to treat patients more quickly, helping to reduce waiting times, including Hull Royal Infirmary, James Cook University Hospital, Airedale General Hospital and Worthing Hospital.
Some trusts will also use the funding to develop or expand same day emergency care services, including in Whipps Cross Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Croydon University hospital and Worthing Hospital.
