£700m NHS funding to help improve wards & reduce waiting lists
The funding will be spent to expand wards and improve MRI technology
Last updated 27th May 2022
Hospitals across the country will receive a share of £700 million to expand wards, upgrade MRI and screening technology, to help reduce waiting lists.
The funding, to be split across all regions in England, will help reduce waiting times for patients by expanding the number of operating theatres and beds, including new day surgery units to prevent people staying overnight and investment in technology to improve their experiences of care and help them manage their conditions.
The Midlands are receiving the most amount of money from the funding, with £131 million to improve facilities in NHS trusts across the region.
North East and Yorkshire will receive the second most amount (£112 million), and London will receive the third most (£109 million).
£34 billion invested in health and social services this year
Today’s investment is part of the £5.4 billion already announced to support the NHS response to the pandemic in the second half of the year. In total, the government is investing over £34 billion of additional funding in health and social care services this year.
The pandemic put unprecedented pressure on the NHS. To fix this, the NHS needs to be able to offer more appointments, operations and treatments. New, innovative practices must be adopted so patients continue to receive the best possible care.
The allocations for the £700 million announced today include £330 million for upgrading NHS facilities, £250 million for new technology and £120 million for any supporting revenue costs.
"We’re putting everything behind our health and care services"
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid said:
"Ahead of what is going to be a difficult winter, we’re putting everything behind our health and care services, so everyone can access the services they need, when they need them.
"Our £700 million investment will help more people get treated over the coming months by upgrading wards, operating theatres, and diagnostic kit.
"We’re taking unprecedented steps to keep people healthy this winter, putting the booster roll-out on steroids, and delivering the largest flu vaccine programme in UK history.
"We can all play our part in the national mission – when you get the call, please get the jab."
Read More: Possible 230,000 new PTSD cases as a result of the pandemic
What will the funding cover?
The £700 million funding will cover the costs of:
- Additional day surgery units to boost activity and avoid patients having to stay overnight or longer
- Additional permanent and modular theatres and surgical hubs in multiple trusts to drive up the number of operations which can be carried out
- Expanding outpatient space for those not staying overnight, to increase the numbers of patients that can be seen
- Upgraded or new imaging equipment, including MRI and mobile breast screening units
- Additionally, the NHS and local and national government are looking to recruit 18,000 more staff, including nurses, healthcare support workers, medical support workers, alongside making use of temporary staffing and staff banks.
- 15.5 million booster jabs to help protect the population from the Omicron variant will also delivered in England alongside the biggest flu vaccination programme in UK history.
- £478 million is also being spent for support services, rehabilitation and reablement care following discharge from hospital, and ensuring health and social care services are joined up.
Read More: UK approves new antibody treatment Xevudy for Covid-19
What are the biggest projects coming from the funding?
In total 785 schemes have been approved nationwide, including:
- £13.8 million for new wards at University Hospitals Birmingham, delivering an expected 164 additional adult inpatient beds across the trust
- £14.4 million at St George’s Hospitals to deliver a new modular facility providing 20 intensive treatment unit beds
- £10.2 million to develop a new South Mersey Elective Hub, with 2 new theatres and recovery areas
- £10 million for a day surgery site in Castle Hill Hospital in Hull, which will house 4 theatres, as well as all supporting services
- £7.1 million to build a modular ward at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with 32 beds
- £5.9 million at Bedford Hospital to create 20 flexible multi-purpose outpatient rooms
How will the funding be distributed across the country?
As part of this the £700 million has been allocated equally across the country, weighted by population size and each region will receive:
- £112 million for the North East and Yorkshire
- £97 million for the North West
- £131 million for the Midlands
- £78 million for the East of England
- £105 million for the South East
- £69 million for the South West
- £109 million for London
- A breakdown on where in the regions the money will be spent can be found here.
Read More: UK secures 114m vaccine jabs to cover future booster campaigns
What are the new restrictions, and where do you have to wear face coverings in England?
Mask wearing in shops
From Tuesday, face coverings will be mandatory in shops in England. Regardless of vaccination status, those who do not wear a mask in retail establishments - other than those who are exempt for medical purposes - will be asked to leave.
Mask wearing on public transport
While travel across the country remains permitted, face masks will also be made compulsory on public transport in England. This includes buses, trams, trains and taxis. People with medical and respiratory exemptions will not be included in these restrictions.
Students and teachers advised to wear masks
Face coverings are also "strongly advised" to be worn for students in year 7 and above in communal areas unless they are exempt. According to the Department of Education, this is to make sure they can "continue to benefit from classroom teaching".
University students encouraged to wear masks
Department for Education guidance also states that face coverings should be worn by university students and staff in communal spaces and corridors. They have also encouraged that staff and students to do lateral flow tests twice weekly.
Mask wearing in pubs as well?
As of yet, it isn't mandatory to wear a face-covering in pubs and restaurants in England. It comes as Health Minister Edward Argar explained why wearing a mask in a pub or restaurant is difficult. He said people standing at the bar are often there for a short time and will "sip a drink on their way back to a table, where they'll be seated".