Theresa May reveals £36m Walsall Manor Hospital A&E bid
Walsall Manor Hospital has bid for £36.2 million in Government funding to expand its struggling A&E department, the Prime Minister has revealed.
Theresa May told the Commons that Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust will find out in the coming weeks if it has been successful with its bid.
Bosses say the cash is crucial in order to greatly expand the A&E department at Walsall Manor, which is quaking under the strain of exceptionally high demand and has been sanctioned for failing to hit targets.
Mrs May made the announcement in response to a question from Walsall North Conservative MP Eddie Hughes in PMQs.
Mr Hughes, who is due to meet with Health Secretary Matt Hancock to discuss the hospital’s bid, asked the Prime Minister for assurances that a chunk of the Government’s £20bn additional funding for the NHS would be coming to Walsall.
Mrs May said: “Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust has resubmitted an application for £36.2 million of funding in July for the Walsall Manor Hospital emergency department.
“The Department for Health and Social Care expect the successful schemes to be announced in the autumn.”
Mr Hughes told the Express & Star: “Having seen first hand the conditions that health professionals are having to work in at Walsall Manor, I know it is incredibly important for the A&E to expand and get modern facilities. This is something that will benefit everybody in Walsall.”
Richard Beeken, Walsall healthcare NHS Trust chief executive, said: “Our Emergency Department is not fit for purpose and we need to create a better environment for both our patients and our staff."
A number of hospital trust have bid for funding made available by the Government to improve facilities and conditions.
In recent years Walsall Manor has repeatedly failed to meet NHS A&E waiting targets.
Richard Beeken, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Chief Executive, said: “Our Emergency Department is not fit for purpose and we need to create a better environment for both our patients and our staff. An expansion will allow us to care for an additional 8,000 patients a year, compared to the 79,000 we currently support.
“We have submitted our bid to NHS Improvement after working closely with colleagues there at all stages of our business case. It is encouraging to hear the Prime Minister’s response today that a decision is expected shortly.
“To ensure minimal impact to our service we would construct an extension which allows staff and patients to continue to use the department while work is ongoing.”
