Cheshire’s health services – which struggled significantly last winter – have been handed a £2.9m boost
Health services in Cheshire have been handed £2.9m to help them run smoothly over the winter months, according to Northwich Guardian.
The money is coming from NHS Vale Royal and South Cheshire CCGs, which have acquired the money from the government as part of a £240m boost made available in October.
The cash will predominantly be used to reduce bedblocking, as well as speeding up assessments and improving weekend discharges.
Dr Jonathan Griffiths, GP at Swanlow Medical Centre in Winsford, is chair of NHS Vale Royal CCG. He said:
“This winter plan is about the NHS and local authorities working together to provide the right care for people when they need it this winter.
“We’ll see more support for health services in our communities – meaning people shouldn’t be sent to hospital unless they absolutely need to be.
“This plan also means the ‘winter ward’ at Leighton hospital will be open for longer to provide that specialist care if needed.”
These funds have been added to the area’s ‘winter plan’; Cheshire East Council has contributed £1,450,638 for these plans, while Cheshire West and Chester Council has handed over £1,467,219.
It is hoped that the extra cash will help significantly during trying times. Leighton Hospital has failed to meet the four-hour A&E waiting time target consistently since August 2017, and it saw the highest ever levels of demand last winter.
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