Chief Executive of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, Professor Simon Constable said: “We welcome this additional £4.3m funding to support our winter planning arrangements and are delighted to have received one of the most significant allocations in the North West region and the highest in Cheshire and Merseyside.

“This is a huge boost to expanding our Emergency Department and our exciting vision for an enhanced assessment unit in Warrington Hospital’s Appleton Wing which will enable us to bring together a range of clinical specialists to provide 24/7 access to diagnostics and assessments for patients.

“In addition to supporting us to upgrade our hospital facility this winter, this will help to alleviate the pressures on our emergency department and ensure that strict infection control and social distancing measures can be put in place to ensure our urgent care services continue to provide a safe environment for both patients and staff throughout the winter period.”