COLCHESTER Hospital is set to miss out on a share of a £21.4 million Government funding boost for hospitals in the East of England.

The investment is set to be put towards expanding and upgrading accident and emergency departments at three trusts in the region, including in Essex at Southend Hospital.

The funding, part of a new countrywide £150 million package, will expand waiting areas and increase the number of treatment cubicles, helping boost A&E capacity by providing additional space and reducing overcrowding.

Projects will be completed by the start of next year so hospitals benefit from the upgrades during the peak of winter.

Colchester will not receive a portion of this latest investment.

However, in August, the Prime Minister announced 117 trusts would receive a share of £300 million to upgrade A and E departments ahead of winter, with Colchester’s hospital trust allocated £3 million.

A new offer to patients is being piloted in trusts across England, with NHS 111 being the first point of contact for accessing urgent medical care.

To avoid “unnecessary” visits to emergency departments, NHS 111 will build on its role during the pandemic to direct patients to the most clinically appropriate service, including emergency departments, an urgent treatment centre, a GP or mental health professional.

Based on what works best during the pilots, this approach will be rolled out to all trusts from December this year.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are investing £450 million to make sure our A&E departments are ready for winter.

“Hospitals around the country will be able to expand and upgrade to ensure they can continue safely treating patients in the coming months.

“During the peak of the pandemic we saw millions of people using NHS 111 to get the best possible advice on Covid-19, and other urgent NHS services.

“These pilots will build on this and test whether we can deliver quicker access to the right care, provide a better service for the public and ensure NHS staff aren’t overwhelmed.

“We all need to play our part by washing our hands regularly, using a face covering and keeping our distance from those not in our household.

“We are determined to protect the NHS as we did during the peak.”

Dr Cliff Mann, NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said: “While emergency admissions are now back to near normal levels and 999 calls are actually above usual, Covid infection control means rethinking how safely to look after people who might previously have been to an emergency department for a more minor condition.”

The Gazette approached East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust, which runs Colchester Hospital for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of going to press.