West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed a £2.5 million cash injection to help add capacity to the busy Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Harriett, together with her county MP colleagues, lobbied Health Secretary Matt Hancock to earmark extra funds to help the hospital to expand its Emergency Department.

The hospital’s management prepared a bid which includes building a new A&E department next to the current building.

Harriett commented: “Over the last five years, the Acute Trust has had a series of extra cash payments to help with winter pressures, but last year I asked the managers to develop a much larger plan to dramatically improve capacity at this busy hospital.

“I am delighted to get this news and I hope that the Trust will now press on as soon as possible to get building.

“Our doctors and nurses have done an amazing job this year dealing with the coronavirus crisis but we will still have to prepare for the usual challenges that come at winter time.

“This money is proof that the Government is committed to helping the Trust to improve its hospital and offer the best possible care for us and our loved ones.”