Southend Hospital is set for an upgrade after receiving its share of a multi-million-pound investment from the Government.
Fourteen maintenance projects are now expected to be completed at the town’s hospital by next Spring, including refurbished buildings, improved ventilation and upgrades to the lifts.
In total, Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been allocated £7.4 million of the Government’s £600 million fund to tackle critical maintenance work in hospitals across England.
The money is part of the £1.5 billion announced by the Prime Minister in the summer to level up hospital infrastructure across the NHS.
While £600 million will be spent on these critical maintenance upgrades, the remainder will be spent on modernising mental health facilities, expanding A&E capacity and improving infection control ahead of winter.
Welcoming the additional investment in Southend Hospital, James Duddridge MP, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East said:
“I am really pleased that Southend is going to benefit from this multi-million-pound investment to upgrade our local hospital.
“Not only will patients see the benefit, but these upgrade projects will also ensure the town’s nurses, doctors and NHS staff have the facilities so they can continue to provide world-class care.”
Also commenting, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“Alongside delivering on our manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals and 20 major hospital upgrades across the country, this investment will help our NHS build back better.
“These crucial maintenance projects will deliver immediate benefits and provide NHS staff with the facilities they need to provide world-class care to their patients this winter, helping ensure the NHS is always there for you when you need it.”
