03.11.16
Devon and south west promised cancer, mental health and GP surgery boost
NHS services in Devon and the south west will receive new funding to improve cancer, mental health and GP services, the chief executive of NHS England has announced today.
Torbay and South Devon NHS FT and Royal Devon and Exeter NHS FT will be the first hospitals to receive the LINACs, new, up-to-date radiotherapy machines that are being introduced as part of a £130m investment.
Meanwhile, more than 30 GP practices in the region will benefit from investment to improve premises and IT infrastructure and expand the range of services for patients through the Estates and Technology Transformation Fund.
Simon Stevens, who made the announcement on a visit to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Devon Partnership NHS Trust, said: “There are some brilliant NHS services across the south west.
“We're determined to see practical action to help offer even better cancer, mental health and GP services for people across Devon, and today the NHS is demonstrably putting its money where its mouth is."
NHS England will also fund the Wellesley Hospital, a 75-bed secure adult mental health unit, operated by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, in Wellington.
The hospital, due to open in stages from January, will allow mental health patients currently placed outside the south west to return to the region. Eliminating out-of-area placements is a key part of the Mental Health Forward View.
Melanie Walker, CEO of the trust, said: “This new unit means many more people will be able to get treatment close to their families preventing unnecessary distress and aiding recovery.”
Angela Pedder, lead chief executive for the Devon sustainability and transformation plan (STP), said the “common sense changes” would support “key elements” of the STP.
(Image c. Torbay and South Devon NHS FT)
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