£100m cash injection to boost London A&Es

Casualty units are to be upgraded in London as part of a £100 million boost to hospitals

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley unveiled the funding package which will also pay for new equipment including scanners and paediatric ventilators.

He announced £330million nationwide for hospital improvements as fresh concessions were being made in the Lords on the Health and Social Care Bill which introduces sweeping changes to the NHS including giving GPs greater powers over commissioning services.

Health chiefs in London are also facing local backlashes against plans for a separate shake-up of health services in the capital which will see some hospitals close and others downgraded. Ministers and health bosses argue that fewer — but better staffed and equipped — hospitals will deliver superior care.

They are proposing downgrading one casualty unit in south-west London and closing one maternity unit. Over 40 projects in the capital will benefit from the funds announced today including:

£21 million for a purpose-built A&E at Northwick Park Hospital.

£12 million for Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to modernise urgent care facilities.

£11 million for refurbishing Purley Memorial Hospital, to bring a range of services including GP practices, learning disability services and urgent care under one roof.

£9.5 million for the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust for advanced equipment in its imaging department.