Wigan hospitals get £1.4m to help them prepare for a torrid winter

WWL is one of 18 acute health services across the regaion today allocated a share of £46.1m, part of a £300m funding package to upgrade their facilities ahead of winter, the Prime Minister confirmed.

Boris Johnson also urged the public to feel confident to visit A&E for the treatment they need, reassuring those who remain concerned of the strict social distancing and hygiene measures that are in place to protect patients. 

Hospitals could use the new funding to expand waiting areas and increase the number of treatment cubicles, helping them boost A&E capacity by providing additional space, reducing overcrowding and improving infection control measures.

They could also increase the provision of same day emergency care and improve patient flow in the hospital to help the NHS respond to winter pressures and the risk from further outbreaks of coronavirus.

Projects will be completed by the start of next year so hospitals benefit from the upgrades during the peak of winter.

Mr Johnson said: “We continue to deliver on our promise to build back better and faster, with £300m allocated today for NHS trusts to upgrade their facilities and improve A&E capacity.

“These upgrades will help our fantastic NHS prepare for the winter months, helping them to deliver world-leading services and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections.

“Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, our A&Es have remained open for the public.

“It’s vital that those who need emergency treatment this winter access it, and for those who remain concerned about visiting hospitals, let me assure you that the NHS has measures in place to keep people safe.”

Health Minister Edward Argar said: “Our NHS did an amazing job to ensure emergency care continued to be available for everyone who needed it during the peak of this pandemic.

“Today, we are announcing the details of the Trusts across the country who will receive a share of £300m to upgrade their A&Es and support emergency care to help them to continue to deliver safe and accessible services throughout the normally busy winter period.

“This funding is part of our record investment in NHS infrastructure to ensure our health services continues to meet the needs of the present and to be fit for future demands placed upon it.”

A total of 117 trusts across the country are set to receive the funding, as part of the £1.5bn additional capital funding announced by the Prime Minister on June 30.

The remainder of the £1.5bn is being spent on progressing hospital building, enabling hospitals to tackle critical safety issues with their estate and replacing outdated mental health dormitories with single-bed accommodation across England. Further details on the trusts benefitting will be set out in due course.

To support A&Es further this winter, anyone with a non-emergency care need is urged to contact 111 (online or by phone) or their GP first.