DORSET County Hospital is to receive a £2 million cash boost to expand its A&E department to cope with winter pressures.

News of the investment has been welcomed by a Dorset MP who said he was 'delighted' that patients in the county would benefit.

The cash has been earmarked for triage, minor injuries and a Priority Assessment Unit.

It is part of a £29.7 million funding package across five Trusts in the south west from a £150 million Government funding boost to expand and upgrade A&Es to reduce overcrowding and improve infection control ahead of winter.

It is aimed at ensuring they have the physical space to treat patients, manage patient flow and improve infection control, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

The cash boost comes just days after planning permission was granted for a multi-storey car park at the hospital site, which forms part of wider £62.5m proposals to expand the A&E and intensive care units, as well as creating an integrated care hub.

Richard Drax, MP for Dorset South, said: “This is excellent news. We know the DCH A&E department needs an immediate boost and this will upgrade facilities until the proposed building project reaches fruition.

“A&E departments have been under siege during the pandemic and with winter approaching, any extra help is welcome. I am delighted that DCH and the people of Dorset will benefit and I am pleased that we are not only fulfilling our manifesto promise, but exceeding it.”

Projects are expected to be completed by the start of 2021 in order for the hospitals to benefit from the upgrades during the peak of winter, amongst fears that the colder environment may attribute to the spread of coronavirus.

A total of £450m has been pledged across the country to support A&E facilities throughout winter.

The funding will also help support a pilot scheme for NHS 111, making it the first point of contact for accessing urgent medical care. This is in order to ensure patients can access the right service and avoid unnecessary visits to Emergency Departments. The DHSC also plans a consultation on A&E performance measures.

DCH’s Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation Nick Johnson said: “The allocation of this very welcome funding is an early vote of confidence in us being able to deliver our site development plans following the granting of planning permission for our multi-storey car park by Dorset Council.

“This funding is in addition to the £62.5million we have already been allocated and will be used for short-term, immediate improvements to our Emergency Department to help manage the increasing number of patients we are seeing going into the winter.”

The cash boost comes just days after planning permission was granted for a multi-storey car park at the hospital site, which forms part of wider £62.5m proposals to expand the A&E and intensive care units, as well as creating an integrated care hub.