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<p>As set out in the written ministerial statement of 10 September 2013, Official Report, columns 46-48WS, £221 million has been provisionally allocated for 53 high risk areas across England (along with £15 million towards securing a reliable NHS 111 service throughout the winter period and a small contingency fund of £14 million). Decisions on which trusts to concentrate the resources for the upcoming winter were made jointly by NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority (NTDA), working together with regional and national tripartite groups.</p><p>Decisions were made on the basis of a number of factors including risk to delivery of the accident and emergency (A and E) standard, challenging local circumstances and the needs of local populations. This</p><p>gave a picture of those facing the greatest compound risk and identified the trusts thought most likely to benefit most from additional funding.</p><p>Proposals were then reviewed by regional groups made up of NHS England, Monitor and the NTDA to ensure that plans are robust and evidence-based.</p><p>The money will be targeted at local systems which will benefit most from the extra funding. If a trust has not been identified to receive a share of these winter monies it is a sign that they are performing well in delivering their A and E services or have robust and well-resourced plans in place to deliver and sustain improved A and E performance throughout the winter and beyond. Nonetheless we are not complacent, each of the 143 urgent care boards have presented specific plans for initiatives to alleviate pressures on local A and E departments, and NHS England, Monitor and the NTDA will be working with hospitals across the whole country to ensure that emergency services are ready for winter.</p> |