Cornwall's hospitals are to receive almost £3 million to upgrade facilities ahead of this winter.

It is amongst £300 million being allocated by the Government around the country, with the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust receiving £2.8 million.

Hospitals have been told they could use the new funding to expand waiting areas and increase the number of treatment cubicles, in order to give provide more A&E capacity, reduce overcrowding and improve infection control measures.

The Government has also suggested hospitals could also increase the amount of same-day emergency care being offered and improve the way patients move around the hospital, to help the NHS respond to normal winter pressures and the added risk of further outbreaks of coronavirus.

Projects must be completed by the start of next year so hospitals benefit from the upgrades during the peak of winter.

The news has been welcomed by Truro and Falmouth's MP Cherilyn Mackrory, who said: “I'm really pleased to see this announcement by our Prime Minister, which will see Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust get an additional £2.8million to support A&E capacity this winter.

“I look forward to working with the excellent team at RCHT to ensure these funds are allocated as soon as possible and put to use for the good of the staff at our hospitals and the people who need to use their services.”

The Packet has contacted RCHT for its reaction. 

It comes just over a year after the Trust was told it would receive nearly £99.9 million - the biggest ever single investment into Cornwall's local health services - to build a new Women's and Children's Hospital.

Read next: Prime Minister announces £99.9m funding for RCHT

This was from a £1.8 billion investment across the NHS in England by the Government.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said of this latest announcement: "These upgrades will help our fantastic NHS prepare for the winter months, helping them to deliver essential services and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections.

“Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, our A&Es have remained open for the public.

“It’s vital that those who need emergency treatment this winter access it, and for those who remain concerned about visiting hospitals, let me assure you that the NHS has measures in place to keep people safe.”