Morecambe Bay hospitals trust gets £2m government funding to improve A&E services

The trust which runs the Royal Lancaster Infirmary is to receive almost £2m in government funding to help upgrade its A&E facilities.
By Gayle Rouncivell
Published 12th Aug 2020, 10:27 BST
Updated 12th Aug 2020, 10:30 BST
The RLI will benefit from the funding.The RLI will benefit from the funding.
The RLI will benefit from the funding.

University Hospitals Of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust will be awarded £1.921m from a £300m pot being shares across 117 trusts.

The money is to be spent on upgrading facilities ahead of winter, and will help the trust to improve the capacity at its two emergency departments at Furness General Hospital and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hospitals can 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 can 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.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "These upgrades will help our fantastic NHS prepare for the winter months, helping them to deliver essential services and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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

Kate Maynard, UHMBT's chief operating officer, said: "I'm pleased for our local communities and colleagues that UHMBT has been informed today that it will receive an allocation of £2m as part of the Prime Minister's announcement that 117 NHS trusts will be be allocated a share of £300m to upgrade A&E facilities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"These funds are part of the NHS preparation for winter and the risk of further outbreaks of coronavirus.

"Our plans include improving the capacity at our two emergency departments in Furness General Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

"This investment will also help to further improve the experience for both patients and colleagues as well as removing patients waiting on corridors, which is not something that any of us want to see in our hospitals."

Related topics:NHSMorecambe BayBoris Johnson