New government funding announced for NHS equipment and facilities

The government has announced plans to inject 330 million pounds of funding to help NHS sites to invest in cutting-edge equipment and facilities.

Hospitals across the UK will receive money to improve services, with 72 million pounds to be spent on urgent care facilities, including new operating theatres and accident and emergency departments.

30 million pounds will be used on facilities, including paediatric and women and children's units, while more than 20 million pounds will go towards CT scanners and diagnostic equipment.

The remainder will be allocated towards enhanced maternity services, cancer care and screening initiatives.

Prime minister David Cameron said the funding commitment "will ensure millions of people see better buildings, better equipment and brand new facilities and services, as well as saving thousands of lives".

This comes after 100 million pounds in government funds were pledged towards NHS clinical research facilities for use in drug development programmes earlier this month.