Yvette Cooper pledges £140m to boost urgent care as NHS faces ‘tough’ winter
Health secretary says government has been preparing early and will spend money on ambulances and A&E upgrades The NHS faces a more challenging winter than normal, the health secret
By The Guardian
Yvette Cooper has announced almost £140 million for urgent care services in England ahead of what she says could be a more challenging NHS winter.
The Health and Social Care Secretary said the funding would support 14 schemes, including new urgent treatment centres, same-day emergency care services, ambulance fleets and upgrades to emergency departments.
The Government said the investment is intended to increase capacity and reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments as seasonal illnesses place additional demand on the health service.
A further 25 urgent care sites announced in April are also due to open or expand in time for winter.
Cooper said the NHS had been preparing since July for the impact of seasonal illnesses.
“Winter will be more challenging for our NHS this year, after such a heavy summer,” she said. “That’s why we have been preparing early and investing in extra urgent care capacity to help get patients the care they need.”
Emma Rowland, NHS England’s executive director for performance and delivery, said the winter would be tough for the NHS.
She said investment in same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres would help more patients receive care in the right place and at the right time.
The announcement applies to urgent care services across England, with the 14 funded schemes and additional sites due to provide extra capacity during the colder months.