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Aug 2020

Last Updated: 11/08/2020

Health

Harrogate hospital receives £527,000 to upgrade A&E department

by Calvin Robinson

| 11 Aug, 2020

As part of £300 million of funding announced by the Prime Minister, Harrogate Hospital will receive £527,000 to upgrade its A&E department.

Harrogate Hospital Entrance

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has received £527,000 in funding to help increase capacity at Harrogate hospital’s accident and emergency department.

The money comes as part of a £300 million funding pot announced by the government for hospital trusts across the country.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said 117 trusts will be granted the extra money to prepare for winter and further outbreaks of coronavirus.

A total of £53 million has been handed to 21 trusts across the North East and Yorkshire, with Harrogate receiving £527,000.

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As part of the funding, hospital bosses in Harrogate said the money will go towards modernising the A&E department and improve other facilities such as x-rays.

Jonathan Coulter, director of finance and deputy chief executive at the hospital trust, said:

“We're really pleased to have received this investment. It will go towards modernising our emergency department at Harrogate District Hospital, giving us enhanced capacity ahead of winter.

“It means we will be able to adapt our space to better facilitate social distancing. The money will also go towards improving our diagnostic facilities, including x-ray provision.

“Hospital staff are currently working very hard to provide safe care for patients in environments which we've carefully had to adapt and reorganise as a result of the pandemic. They’re doing a brilliant job.

“This money allows us to properly invest and will put us in a better place before winter.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, said the money will help to put the hospital in a good position ahead of winter.

He said:

“Winter may seem a long way off but planning ahead is essential if we want our NHS to cope with the additional pressures that cold weather brings. In addition to those seasonal pressures we can expect the covid-19 pandemic to still be with us although hopefully in a much reduced and more contained way.

“Our local NHS services are highly-rated by users; our staff are talented and dedicated professionals praised by the Care Quality Commission as outstanding for their caring approach. We need to ensure that facilities like A&E match the public expectation and the professionalism of our staff. This investment will enable that expectation to be met during a time of peak pressure.

“So while we hope for the best this winter, it’s right that we plan for the worst. This funding to upgrade A&E across the trust will ensure that we are in the best possible position for the challenges that the winter months may bring.”

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Harrogate hospital receives £527,000 to upgrade A&E department

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