The Chancellor of the Exchequer today highlighted the Government’s commitment to Solihull by visiting NHS staff at Solihull Hospital, which will soon see its Minor Injuries Unit re-opened following Julian Knight’s campaigning on behalf of constituents for it to be reopened.
As part of the Autumn statement announced by the Chancellor last week, the Chancellor committed to taking action to improve access to urgent and emergency care whilst getting waiting times down, with an additional £8bn of investment for the NHS and social care.
This news comes following the announcement that Solihull Minor Injuries Unit will be re-opening next year, but also the Hospital has secured funding from the Government to expand the Hospital with additional theatre capacity, and the local NHS Trust has already submitted a planning application confirming its commitment. The expansion will see new theatres specialising in operations around low and high-complexity cancer, in line with new state-of-the-art developments.
The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said “It was a real privilege to meet the staff at Solihull Hospital today, and I know the decision taken by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust to re-open the Minor Injuries Unit is a decision supported by Solihull residents.”
“Even in the face of tough economic challenges, this government is prioritising NHS investment. Thanks to the Autumn Statement last week, we are making available an additional £8billion for the NHS and social care over the coming years - a clear demonstration of our commitment to patients, NHS staff and the vulnerable.”
“I want to place on record my praise to Solihull’s local Member of Parliament, Julian Knight, who has continuously lobbied the local NHS Trust to re-open the Minor Injuries Unit on behalf of his Solihull constituents”.
Julian Knight MP said “I want to place on record my thanks to the Chancellor for visiting Solihull today following the news that Solihull Hospital is set to expand its theatre capacity following investment secured from the Government. I also know that the re-opening of the Solihull Minor Injuries Unit will reduce the burden placed on local GP providers. As the local Member of Parliament, I have been working behind the scenes to achieve this important news and I want to make it clear that this would not be possible if it wasn’t for the amazing work of our NHS Doctors, Nurses, and staff on the ground”.
