Cash boost to help hospital’s A&E dept

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust has secured £2.5million to improve and innovate it’s urgent and emergency care services in time for winter, it was announced by the Prime Minister last week.

The funding will allow the trust to improve emergency care, while managing the risks of COVID-19.

It will also provide additional community care services to keep people well and ensure that Croydon patients are treated in the right place, at the right time over the winter period.

Wards will be refurbished and a dedicated surgical assessment unit created for patients who need same day emergency surgery.

The trust is also working with health and care partners across the region to provide a same day mental health facility linked with the Emergency Department for patients who have both a physical and mental health need.

The trust will develop a community clinic to administer IV antibiotics, reducing the number of patients who need to get them in hospital.

Patients will also be able to book appointments online, cutting the number of people waiting in emergency departments.

Matthew Kershaw, the trust’s chief executive, said: “This additional funding comes at a great time, helping us to strengthen our preparations for winter, while responding to the extra challenges that Covid-19 brings.

“Responding to increasing demand while continuing to deliver high quality urgent and emergency care is dependent on so many factors – it’s not simply about reducing the number of people who come into the Emergency Department.

“The success of our health and care system in Croydon depends on the strength of our partnerships across the borough, delivering more joined up care across hospital and community services as well as local GPs, social care and the voluntary groups, which is why we’re also investing in community services and primary care solutions to support our growing population.”