06.09.18
Trust hospital bids for £36m government funding for struggling A&E
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust was told yesterday by the prime minister that it will find out in the coming weeks if their bid for £36.2m government funding has been successful.
The announcement came in response to Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes during PMQs, who asked for an assurance that a small chunk of the £20bn NHS funding would be going to Walsall.
Theresa May said the Department for Health and Social Care will announce in the autumn if the bid has been successful or not.
The trust argues the money is needed to expand its struggling A&E at Walsall Manor as it strains under growing demand and sanctions for not hitting targets. Hughes is set to meet health secretary Matt Hancock to discuss the bid.
In December last year, the CQC rated Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust as ‘requires improvement,’ but upgraded the rating for the maternity unit at Walsall Manor last month.
Richard Beeken, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust chief executive, said: “Our emergency department is not fit for purpose and we need to create a better environment for both our patients and our staff. An expansion will allow us to care for an additional 8,000 patients a year, compared to the 79,000 we currently support.
“We have submitted our bid to NHS Improvement after working closely with colleagues there at all stages of our business case. It is encouraging to hear the prime minister’s response today that a decision is expected shortly.
“To ensure minimal impact to our service we would construct an extension which allows staff and patients to continue to use the department while work is ongoing.”
Top image: David Jones via PA Archive
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