Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch County, has welcomed the £3.9million local health services, including the Alexandra Hospital, have received from the Department of Health to help them prepare for winter.
To help our hospitals cope with the increasing demand our NHS will face this winter, the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will receive £1.3million from the winter revenue funding announced by the Chancellor last month. This significant tranche of funding will help support the Trust’s winter plan which is making sure they are as prepared as possible for the busy period ahead.
The remaining £2.6million will be shared between the Acute Trust, CCGs and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust to further improve A&E performance through the winter period.
This money will be used to move the Frailty Unit at the Alex to seven-day working, further expand the Evergreen 2 Ward at Worcestershire Royal by increasing the number of beds and staff, and purchasing additional nursing home beds for patients to support their discharge from hospital.
The number of district nurses and other community-based healthcare staff will also be increased so more patients can be cared for in their homes, reducing demand for hospital beds.
The Trust is already in a stronger position this winter compared to last year thanks to the £920,000 Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit and the Alex’s Frailty Unit which are both helping to reduce admissions to A&E.
Rachel said: “Our hard-working and dedicated doctors, nurses and health professionals will work tirelessly this Christmas period treating patients and caring for our loved ones.
“That’s why I am absolutely delighted health services here in Worcestershire are receiving this significant cash boost to help them better prepare and manage the busy winter period ahead. We will see the tangible benefits of this funding in Redditch with the successful Frailty Unit at the Alex moving to seven-day working.
“I’ve no doubt our hospitals will face huge pressures this winter, but this additional funding will go a long way in helping to alleviate some of that pressure.”
The public have been asked to assist by visiting A&E only in emergencies. Check at http://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/services/item/accident-and-emergency-a-e to see what is the most appropriate service for your condition.
