Two hospitals in the Black Country and Staffordshire have received almost £1.5 million in Government funding to help with emergency care this winter.

The colder months of the year are often the most busiest for hospitals right across the country.

The NHS has given a cash injection of £925,000 to The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross Hospital, ahead of the winter.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs the County Hospital in Stafford and Royal Stoke University Hospital, have received £530,000. It is part of the latest round of cash boosts for hospital trusts announced by Health Minister Philip Dunne.

The Dudley Group NHS, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, received £1m back in April. Mr Dunne said:

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff, the NHS has put in place strong plans ahead of winter – ensuring patients continue to receive safe and efficient care as demand rises over the coming months.

“This funding will give more hospitals the boost they need to streamline patient flow in A&E effectively, freeing up A&Es over the winter to care for the sickest patients and helping make sure all patients get the right treatment in the right place as quickly as possible.”

The funding will be used to help hospitals finalise preparations ahead of winter, particularly to handle the large volumes of patients attending A&E. By investing in the necessary equipment or infrastructure, it is hoped hospitals will be able to target improvements to patient flow and relieve pressure on A&E.

The funding supports NHS England’s wider plans to improve A&E performance in England by 2018. The target is for 95 per cent of patients to be admitted, transferred or discharged 95 per cent of patients within four hours.