This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Winter resilience improved due to £420m fund
A total of 81 projects are being carried out by hospitals across the country to make improvements to care this winter.
Aided by a £420 million winter fund, made up from several care packages announced at the back end of last year, the government has revealed that the majority of hospitals that received funding in September were able to implement changes in time for Christmas, allowing improvements to be made to emergency departments and wards, adding much-needed bed capacity. The NHS expects the benefits of such upgrades to equal an additional 900 beds this winter period.
Meanwhile, ambulance trusts have paid for over 250 new ambulances, 100 of which were delivered by 24 December, in combination with the 'make ready hubs, which allow paramedics to get back on the road more quickly and easily.
Councils have used the £240 million social care funding packet to provide more than 300,000 additional packages of care to support people in their homes, as well as create another 9,000 care homes beds.
Health Minister Stephen Hammond said: "We know winter is always challenging, and that’s why we have given the NHS £420 million to prepare and improve resilience for this year. The health and care sector has spent this money wisely, delivering upgrades and improved services in 80 hospitals, and plans to support 30,000 more people to be cared for at home this winter have helped free up vital hospital beds.
"I’m also urging the public to help us ease pressure on the NHS this winter season. Whether that’s making use of pharmacies, calling NHS 111 to avoid unnecessary trips to hospital, or being vigilant against the spread of colds and flu – we can all help the NHS weather the challenges to come."
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
