MP welcomes over £1 million of extra funding for winter NHS care

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has been able to secure £1,257,000 for the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust to help them deal with an expected upturn in patients this winter.

In a statement to the House of Commons today, Jeremy Hunt MP, the Health Secretary, announced a package of £250 million for NHS trusts in England. As part of that Tim has been able to secure £1,257,000 for the local Morecambe Bay trust.

Morecambe Bay is one of only twelve trusts throughout the North receiving extra funds in today's announcement.

The funding is in recognition that hospitals in England see thousands of extra deaths in the winter as a result of cold weather and associated health problems. Heart attacks, stroke and respiratory problems rise in the cold weather and the NHS comes under increased pressure from people getting flu, people injuring themselves through falls or slips and other health problems associated with colder weather, such as the norovirus vomiting bug.

Tim said: "For the last year I have worked with trust bosses and done everything I can to help secure extra funding for them. Today's announcement is good news and I will keep fighting for more funds and more services for our area.

"I will keep working with all the MPs around the Bay to back our hospitals and support the fantastic doctors, nurses and staff who work tirelessly to make a difference for local people."