Multi-million boost will help Peterborough hospital trust cope with winter demand

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke, and Stamford and Rutland hospitals, has received a grant of £3.7 million from the Government to upgrade their facilities ahead of winter as part of a national funding scheme.

While it has not been confirmed how the money will be spent, hospitals could 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 could 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: “We continue to deliver on our promise to build back better and faster, with £300 million allocated today for NHS trusts to upgrade their facilities and improve A&E capacity.

“These upgrades will help our fantastic NHS prepare for the winter months, helping them to deliver world-leading services and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections.

“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: “Our NHS did an amazing job to ensure emergency care continued to be available for everyone who needed it during the peak of this pandemic.

“Today, we are announcing the details of the Trusts across the country who will receive a share of £300 million to upgrade their A&Es and support emergency care to help them to continue to deliver safe and accessible services throughout the normally busy winter period.

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

A total of 117 Trusts across the country are set to receive the funding, as part of the £1.5 billion additional capital funding announced by the Prime Minister on 30 June.

The remainder of the £1.5 billion is being spent on progressing hospital building, enabling hospitals to tackle critical safety issues with their estate and replacing outdated mental health dormitories with single-bed accommodation across England. Further details on the Trusts benefitting will be set out in due course.

The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted the Trust for comment about the announcement.