Trust which runs Stamford and Rutland Hospital awarded funds to improve care and reduce waiting times
It will allow North West Anglia Foundation Trust to upgrade to digital radiography at Stamford's hospital
North West Anglia Foundation Trust, which runs Stamford and Rutland Hospital, has been awarded almost ÂŁ4.5 million.
The money, which is part of a ÂŁ700 million investment announced by the Government last week (3 December), will be used to fund improvements to care, increase the number of patients that can be treated and upgrade diagnostic equipment.
It is one of the most sizeable awards in the region.
The Trust said diagnostics capacity is to be enhanced, with X-ray rooms across sites being converted to digital radiography which is said to improve quality, save time and improve safety for patients.
This includes at Stamford's hospital.
Meanwhile, more space will be created for outpatient appointments at Peterborough City Hospital for trauma and orthopaedic patients, while extended hours for the Emergency Gynaecological Assessment Unit will help to reduce demand on the Emergency Department.
Dr Kanchan Rege, Chief Medical Officer, North West Anglia Foundation Trust, said:
"This funding allows us to upgrade to digital radiography at Hinchingbrooke, Stamford and Doddington Hospitals, plus The Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely.
"Combined with the improvements to outpatients and EGAU at Peterborough City Hospital will mean we can see more patients and reduce the time some people are having to wait."
Geraldine Wingfield-Hill, Chief Digital and Information Officer, added:
"The way we work now is digital.
"This funding allows us to replace equipment and implement new ways of working that will create more flexibility and capacity to treat and care for more patients across our Trust.
"It’s a great opportunity for us to improve experience of care for our communities and to lay the foundations for smart digital care innovations to come."
The award includes £3.4 million to strengthen the Trust’s digital foundations.
This includes implementing more secure and easy-to-use technology to allow "reliable" remote and flexible working, greater use of mobile devices to support care delivery and more consistent ways of working across sites.