The Milton Keynes MPs shared their delight after the Conservative Government announced Milton Keynes University Hospital would receive a £4.9 million boost to support it through winter.
As part of a £700 million investment into the NHS the Government is supporting 785 schemes across 187 hospital trusts to increase capacity and tackle waiting lists.
MKU Hospital has received £3 million in capital funding and an extra £1.92 million in digital funding to support with six projects to help them support patients over winter.
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.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: "The team at Milton Keynes University Hospital have done an incredible job in extremely difficult circumstances throughout the pandemic and I'm delighted the Government is providing them with extra funding which will be so vital this winter."
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, commented: "This extra £5m of funding for Milton Keynes University will help them to navigate the upcoming winter months, ensuring that patients are seen by a member of their excellent team.
"Having recently spoke with the Chief Executive, Joe Harrison, I am confident that Milton Keynes University Hospital will tackle its waiting lists and overcome any issues that may come their way.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff members at MKUH for all their hard work and dedication to looking after their patients!"
Alex Walker, the Leader of the Conservative Group on MK Council, added: “We are delighted to hear that the Government are keeping our NHS standing strong with extra funding for MK University Hospital. We need to do all we can to support the incredible teams at our hospital and this is a step in the right direction.”
Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 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."
To prepare for this winter, the NHS and national and local government has undertaken a range of actions, which include:
- working to recruit 18,000 more staff, including nurses, healthcare support workers, medical support workers, alongside making use of temporary staffing and staff banks
- supporting the workforce with access to health and wellbeing support and mental health hubs, which have helped 30,000 people so far
- keeping the nation protected against the virus, especially against the new Omicron variant, through vaccination with over 15.5 million boosters delivered in England and the biggest flu vaccination programme in UK history
- secured new COVID-19 antiviral and therapeutic treatments to help save more lives including Ronapreve, Lagevrio and Paxlovid, in addition to tocilizumab and dexamethasone
- continuing to provide free lateral flow testing alongside contact tracing, regular asymptomatic testing and the use of self-isolation and quarantine