REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley has welcomed news that A&E departments will benefit from an additional £500 million over the next two years.

The new funding, from existing budgets and government efficiency savings, will go to A&E departments identified as being under the most pressure and be targeted at ‘pinch points’ in local services.

It will focus on those trusts which have consistently failed to meet the four hour target of patients being seen and treated when first admitted.

The aim is for patients to be treated promptly, with fewer delays, and for other patients to get the care, prescriptions or advice they need without going to A&E.

Mrs Lumley said: “The past two years the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust have struggled to meet the four hour target so I very much hope that we will be seeing it in line to take advantage of this funding.

“Accident and emergency services have come under huge pressure in the past few years and today there are a million more people using these vital services than three years ago.

“Clearly, that is a huge number and this funding which has come from government efficiency savings will help plug the gap whilst reform takes place.”

The MP added: “The National Health Service has been an absolute priority for this government and the budget has been protected in contrast to what would have happened under Labour.”