More ambulances and frontline staff for East Midlands Ambulance Service
East Midlands Ambulance Service are set to receive more ambulances and frontline staff thanks to more than six million pounds of funding.
After the busiest summer in NHS history, the government is boosting urgent care capacity as the health service prepares for a challenging winter.
The government is announcing that almost £140 million will be invested in 14 new urgent care schemes across England, including new urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and same day emergency care services (SDECs), new ambulance fleets, and emergency department upgrades, providing a significant increase in frontline and urgent care capacity.
The investment follows a summer of record NHS activity and extreme heat. With seasonal illnesses, including flu and norovirus, adding to the heavy workload over winter, the NHS has been preparing since July to meet patients’ needs and protect patient safety.
Among those to receive funding is the East Midlands Ambulance Service who will get £6.35 million which will be used for 40 additional double-crewed ambulances
More ambulances and frontline staff will increase the service's capacity to respond to 999 calls, particularly during periods of high demand, and help crews reach patients sooner.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We know this winter will be challenging for the NHS, particularly after such a heavy summer.
“That’s why we’ve been preparing early and investing in extra urgent care capacity to help ease the pressure on staff and get patients the care they need, closer to home.
“NHS staff work incredibly hard for all of us. They deserve our support, and we’re determined to give them the backing they need.”
Dr Emma Rowland, NHS Executive Director for Performance and Delivery, said: “We know this winter will be tough for the NHS and we’re doing everything we can to reduce pressure on our emergency departments and make sure patients get the care they need, while protecting our staff.
“Investment in same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres will help more patients get the right care in the right place, at the right time.”