MP raps A&E plan as ‘sticking plaster’
A MULTIMILLION pound expansion of A&E services has been described as a “sticking plaster” by Hyndburn’s MP.
Royal Blackburn Hospital, run by the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, is due to receive between £5m and £10m to pay for an expansion of its emergency department in plans announced by the Health Secretary, Phillip Hammond.
Dr Amanda Doyle, GP and Sustainability and Transformation Partnership Lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: “This investment will support us to make faster progress on modernising mental health services and improving A&E facilities which will help to improve lives for people across our region.”
The funding forms part of £325 million being spent to modernise and transform care for patients by funding local projects, according to the NHS.
Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “For patients it’ll mean easier GP appointments, modern A&Es, and better cancer and mental health care. For staff, we’re putting our money where our mouth is in backing these practical plans developed by doctors, nurses and local NHS leaders. This is the first down payment of much needed investment in modern equipment and NHS facilities, with more promised in the autumn and beyond.”
However, MP Graham Jones said: “Years after the Tories have underfunded the NHS, sticking plasters won’t resolve the funding crisis and until we tackle ill-health at cause, the NHS will struggle indefinitely and with an ageing population.”