Prime Minister announces £500 million to relieve pressures on A&E

The government is to give £500 million to hard pressed A&E departments, it was announced today.  With over 1 million more people visiting A&E compared to 3 years ago, last year’s harsh winter put huge pressure on urgent and emergency wards. The new funding will go to A&E departments identified as being under the most pressure and be targeted at ‘pinch points’ in local services. The aim is for patients to be treated promptly, with fewer delays in A&E, and for other patients to get the care, prescriptions or advice they need without going to A&E. Local initiatives: how extra