South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has welcomed government announcement of £6.3m for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, to help improve patient care ahead of winter.
The funding forms part of additional £150 million to expand and upgrade 25 A&E facilities in hospitals across England, ensuring they have improved physical space to treat patients, manage patient flow and improve infection control.
This is in addition to the £300 million announced recently for 117 Trusts to upgrade their facilities, meaning the Government has now invested £450 million to upgrade A&Es this winter. This includes £2m for Princess Royal Hospital in Telford announced last month.
To ensure patients get the right care in the right place and avoid unnecessary visits to Emergency Departments, NHS 111 will build on its role during the pandemic to direct patients to the most clinically appropriate service, including Emergency Departments, an Urgent Treatment Centre, a GP or mental health professional.
Mr Dunne said: “I am very pleased SaTH will receive an additional £6.3m to help prepare the A&E at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for the winter ahead. This is part of £450m to upgrade A&E’s across England.
I also welcome the NHS putting £24 million into pilots to increase 111 call handling capacity, with more clinicians on hand to provide expert advice and guidance. NHS 111 has handled millions of calls during the pandemic, and this investment will ensure the call handlers can book appointments for patients with the appropriate service to cut out unnecessary queueing and ensure they get the right care first time.”
Those facing a life-threatening emergency should continue to dial 999 immediately. If someone is unsure how serious a condition is then NHS 111 can offer advice and if necessary, dispatch an ambulance.
