THE trust which runs Winchester hospital to set to receive over £1.5million to upgrade its accident and emergency facilities.

It comes as part of a £300million package announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to enable 117 trusts across the country prepare for winter.

The £1,505,000 awarded to Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust will be able to increase its A&E capacity, put enhanced infection prevention and control measures in place and make improvements to emergency care and urgent treatment services.

Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler's Ford, said: "This is further welcome investment for our hospital coming, as it does, on top of the major investment we were able to secure a few years back after the poor CQC report.

“This is really important to ensure the local health system is ready to cope with any new Covid surge but also the wide range of usual wnter pressures. It’s also further confidence shown in the RHCH by ministers and the trust would do well to note that.”

The University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust to receive £9 million to upgrade its facilities ready for winter.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We continue to deliver on our promise to build back better and faster, with £300 million allocated today for NHS trusts to upgrade their facilities and improve A&E capacity.

"These upgrades will help our fantastic NHS prepare for the winter months, helping them to deliver essential services and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections.

"Thanks to the hard work and tireless efforts of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, our A&Es have remained open for the public.

"It’s vital that those who need emergency treatment this winter access it, and for those who remain concerned about visiting hospitals, let me assure you that the NHS has measures in place to keep people safe."

Health Minister Edward Argar added:"Our NHS did an amazing job to ensure emergency care continued to be available for everyone who needed it during the peak of this pandemic.

"Today, we are announcing the details of the Trusts across the country who will receive a share of £300 million to upgrade their A&Es and support emergency care to help them to continue to deliver safe and accessible services throughout the normally busy winter period.

"This funding is part of our record investment in NHS infrastructure to ensure our health services continue to meet the needs of the present and to be fit for future demands placed upon it."

Hampshire Hospitals has been contacted for a comment.