Shropshire hospitals get £3.19 million winter cash boost
Shropshire's troubled hospitals are to receive a £3.19 million cash boost to help them through the winter period.
Announcing the extra money, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it would be used to improve emergency care, provide new beds and pay for better equipment.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is one of 81 bodies across the country which will receive a share of a £145 million investment.
The trust runs the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
The news was welcomed by Shrewsbury & Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski, who said it would make a real difference during the winter months.
"The extra £3.19 million is a very welcome boost for our local trust, helping it through the extra pressures of winter."
Making the announcement, Mr Hancock said: "This funding will enable the NHS to deliver additional beds, redevelop A&E units and upgrade wards, enhance bed management systems, and improve ‘same-day’ emergency care."
Mr Hancock said the trust had identified a scheme which would help with its bed capacity.
"Last winter was challenging, but thanks to the efforts and dedication of hard working frontline staff, over 500 more people were seen in A&E and admitted or discharged within four hours every day," said Mr Hancock.
"This further investment in the NHS will help those staff to deliver the best possible care for patients this winter."
Last week the trust was issued with an 'urgent enforcement notice' by hospital watchdog, the Care Quality Commission.
If the trust does not comply with the conditions imposed on it, the CQC has the power to suspend it. The notice related to how the hospitals handled patients with sepsis and other deteriorating conditions, and environmental safety at Telford A&E.
