Wolverhampton North East MP Jane Stevenson has welcomed news that the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust will receive £3 million to tackle critical maintenance work over the winter.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock MP announced this week that hospital staff, patients and visitors will benefit from refurbished wards, brand new electrics and upgraded ventilation systems.
£600 million has been allocated to hospitals across England, including £3 million for 9 projects at New Cross Hospital and other sites run by the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
The projects could include refurbishing or building new buildings to deliver key services, upgrades to electrical infrastructure, improvements to ventilation systems, works to improve fire safety and the replacement of hospital lifts. The projects will be completed by March 2021.
The investment from Government is part of a £1.5 billion package announced by the Prime Minister in the summer to level up infrastructure across the NHS. While £600 million will be spent on these critical maintenance upgrades, the remainder will be spent on modernising mental health facilities, expanding A&E capacity and improving infection control.
Since August last year, the Government has confirmed £850 million to upgrade 20 hospitals and £3.7 billion to help deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030. Last month’s Spending Review announced a dedicated £1.2 billion for NHS new hospitals in 2021-22. Good progress has also been made on the Conservatives’ pledge of 50,000 more nurses by 2025 – with the latest statistics showing there are already 14,800 more nurses in the NHS than a year ago.
Jane said: “As we head into the most difficult time of year for the NHS, I am delighted that New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton will benefit from over £3 million of Government funding to carry out vital maintenance work over the coming months.
“These crucial projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to patients, helping our NHS to build back better after the pandemic.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock MP said: “Alongside delivering on our manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals and 20 major hospital upgrades across the country, this investment will help our NHS build back better.
“These maintenance projects will help ensure the NHS is always there for you when you need it.”
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