Graham Stuart Heralds Vital Funding For Hull NHS Trust

Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, has voiced his delight at the news that Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will be getting a significant £4,297,000 boost to support its A&E services over the winter.

The emergency funding comes on top of the £34 billion funding increase which has been enshrined in law by the NHS Funding Act. It will mean that the Trust is able to increase its A&E capacity, but it has also been earmarked for installing enhanced infection prevention and control measures.

There is also an additional £3 billion due to the NHS, announced by Boris Johnson on 17th July, which will allow the NHS to keep the extra hospital capacity that it has temporarily acquired from the private sector throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Nightingale hospitals – which were constructed at short notice in response to the pandemic in Harrogate, Birmingham, London, Manchester and Bristol – will remain open until March next year.

Graham commented;

“Protecting the NHS and its hardworking, dedicated staff has been at the very forefront of our fight against coronavirus. By staying home to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the community, we have ensured that the NHS has never been overwhelmed – avoiding scenes like the ones we saw in Italy.

“In addition to this, we’ve provided over £30 billion of emergency funding since the start of the outbreak – delivering almost 2.5 billion items of PPE and more than tripling the number of ventilators and critical care beds.

“While we hope for the best this winter, we need to plan for the worst. This funding to upgrade the A&E at HRI will ensure that we are in the best possible position for the challenges that the winter months may bring.”

Boris Johnson added;

“These upgrades will help our fantastic NHS prepare for the winter months, helping them to deliver essential services and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections.

“Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, our A&Es have remained open for the public.

“It’s vital that those who need emergency treatment this winter access it, and for those who remain concerned about visiting hospitals, let me assure you that the NHS has measures in place to keep people safe.”