Additional winter funding for NHS

Health boards are being supported with further funding of £3.4 million, from the £850 million Waiting Times Improvement Plan, to tackle winter pressures.

Total investment targeting seasonal pressures is £13.4 million – up from £10 million last winter. This is in addition to £6.3 million previously allocated to support unscheduled care throughout the year.

The winter funding will help ensure patients are discharged from hospital when they are ready, increase resilience, and avoid cancelling planned operations as a result of emergency pressures.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:

"Winter creates particular pressures on our health and social care system, so it's important that we are well prepared. We need strong leadership and collaborative working across the whole system to ensure people are getting the right help in the right place.

"Our £13.4 million investment will support health boards and health and social care partnerships to put appropriate steps in place, ensuring people are discharged in a timely way when it's safe to do so and that the right staff are in place throughout the system.

“This funding will also help reduce hospital attendances by managing care closer to home for those with long-term conditions and minor injuries, with a focus on better use of community pharmacies and more support to direct people to the best service for their needs.”

Background

The Waiting Times Improvement Plan was announced in October 2018 and directs more than £850 million to substantially and sustainably improve waiting times by spring 2021.

This total investment of £13.4 million for winter pressures includes the £10 million outlined to boards in November 2019. £6.3 million of additional money has been allocated to support unscheduled care.

When the Health Secretary announced the initial allocation, she confirmed further support for boards this winter in the light of the threat of Brexit.

Total Winter Investment by Board