WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has supported a further cash boost for Worcestershire’s busy accident and emergency department which will see it get nearly £1 million of extra funding.
The MP backed the bid for extra cash following heavy demand during the Christmas holidays which saw severe delays for patients arriving at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Worcestershire’s NHS Acute Trust will get £920,000 to help deal with extra winter pressures following an announcement by the Department for Health.
Harriett commented: “Each year, the Department for Health offers extra cash to help hospitals deal with specific winter pressures and I am pleased that this money has been confirmed early this year to help the Trust make its plans.
“I have supported a broader bid to invest cash to allow the permanent expansion of the Emergency Department and I met with the Trust’s new chief executive to hear her plans for securing improvement in performance.
“We are all behind the hard working doctors and nurses working for our local NHS and I hope that this extra cash will help relieve a little of the annual winter pressure.
“Nevertheless, we must repeat the message that it is important that people only attend A&E when there is urgent need for help and to use GPs and the local minor injuries units for treatment where at all possible.”