Winter tonic with cash for hospital

TORBAY Hospital has been given more than a third of a million pounds to improve care for patients over the winter.

The money is part of a £3.7m injection of government money into Devon hospitals.

It will be spent on projects designed to help winter pressures at the county’s four acute hospitals.

Torbay was at its highest state of alert for several weeks last winter as staff worked to cope with the demands caused by winter illnesses.

The £340,000 for Torbay will be spent on key improvements to urgent and emergency care.

The funding will enable the Trust to expand the waiting area and create four new treatment areas where people can receive treatment if they are not going to need a hospital stay overnight.

The resuscitation area will be improved and new patient trolleys and cardiac monitors will be bought.

Medical director Dr Rob Dyer said: “The trust is delighted to be awarded this money.

“It will help us improve our experience for patients, create a better working environment for our staff and help us avoid patients waiting longer than they need to.

“We plan to have the work at Torbay Hospital completed by the end of November, in time for the busiest winter period.

“The county-wide investment is good news for patients across Devon and will lead to enhanced facilities and services this winter.”