Government announces funding for community hospitals

The government has announced the funding for the construction of four community hospitals and health centres to deliver more local access to medical checks and minor surgical procedures.

It reported that the hospitals and health centres will be granted with ?44.5 million from a ?750 million fund dedicated to the establishment of the new services.

Facilities receiving money in this first round of funding include the Washington Primary Care Centre, Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Yate Health and Children’s Integrated Services Centre and Minehead Community Hospital.

The Department of Health reports that the new services will conduct 25,000 tests, 30,000 treatments for minor injuries and deal with 20,000 outpatient appointments each year.

Lord Warner, health minister, commented that this funding showed the government’s dedication to community hospitals and its commitment to the replacement of old and unsuitable buildings with those fit for purpose.

“A modern health service needs a significant amount of care provided in state-of-the-art community hospitals,” he said.

“This model of care suits peoples’ daily lives and will help many patients’ maintain their independence,” he added.

Additionally, Lewis Macdonald, deputy health minister of the Scottish executive this week announced similar plans for the creation of more community hospitals in Scotland.