Health Secretary Jeremy
Hunt recently announced that £250m will be provided to 53 NHS Trusts, including
Basildon and Thurrock NHS Foundation, to help them deal with the extra
pressures brought about by the cold winter weather.
Within this £250m, Mr Hunt has committed to spending £70m
on acute capacity and coverage; £27.5m on local primary care provision; £65m on
strengthened community and hospice care; and £57.5m on pathway improvements for
long term conditions requiring urgent care.
Mr Metcalfe commented: “I am extremely pleased that the
Government are investing in A&E departments this winter. It is vital that
local A&E’s can deal with the increased demands of winter and it is very
reassuring to know that this Government are planning ahead to ensure the safety
and well being of people in South Basildon and East Thurrock and across the
country.”
As well as tackling the problem in the short term, Mr
Hunt also announced bold measures for reducing pressures in the longer term. As
well as making £250m available next year, he has set out a three pillar plan to
transform primary and community care.
The three pillars state that:
·
Patients should have a named clinician
responsible for the coordination of their care right across the NHS
·
Information and patient records must be shared
across the system
·
Care for older people must be joined up between
health and social care, starting with the £3.8billion integration fund.
Mr Metcalfe added: “As well as tackling the short term
problems brought about by cold weather, this Government is committed to
transforming the NHS in the long term. The Secretary of State has called for a
24/7 service which recognises patients as individuals and looks out for them proactively, starting with the most
vulnerable. I fully support this Government in helping the NHS achieve these
goals.”
For further information see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hunt-nhs-must-fundamentally-change-to-solve-ae-problems
