Thirty NHS trusts across England are set to benefit from £250m of funding to help the struggling health service cope with winter pressures.
Announcing the funding boost today, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said it would help deliver 900 new hospital beds, which in turn would relieve pressures and help cut waiting lists.
This investment is part of the NHS Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan, published in January, which aims to provide over 5,000 hospital beds in total.
Mr Barclay said: ‘Creating additional hospital capacity will support staff to provide the best possible care and treat patients more quickly, helping us to improve waiting times and cut waiting lists - one of the government’s top five priorities.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: 'Our winter plans, which build on the progress already made on our urgent and emergency care recovery plan, aim to reduce waiting times for patients and to transform services with an expansion of same day care and virtual wards, helping patients to be cared for in their own home where possible.'
