Hospitals in Kent are to receive a share of £300 million extra funding to help prepare for winter - although one of the county's biggest trusts has missed out.

The government confirmed today the 117 trusts that would be allocated a share of the funds to upgrade A&Es.

In Kent, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust will receive £2,553,000; Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust will be given £2,817,000; Medway NHS Foundation Trust will get £857,000; while Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust will be allocated £1,500,000; and £750,000 will go to Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.

East Kent Hospitals Trust is the only Kent trust to miss out on a share.

A statement released by the government says the new funding will help the NHS prepare for winter and the risk from further outbreaks of coronavirus.

And it adds that the Prime Minister will today urge the public to feel confident to visit A&E for the treatment they need, reassuring those who remain concerned that strict social distancing and hygiene measures are in place to protect patients.

It added: "Hospitals could use the new funding to expand waiting areas and increase the number of treatment cubicles, helping them boost A&E capacity by providing additional space, reducing overcrowding and improving infection control measures.

"They could also increase the provision of same day emergency care and improve patient flow in the hospital to help the NHS respond to winter pressures and the risk from further outbreaks of coronavirus."

Upgrading projects are due to be completed by the start of next year so hospitals benefit from the upgrades during the peak of winter.

Last year the Prime Minister also confirmed 20 hospitals would receive a share of £850 million to upgrade outdated facilities and equipment.

PM 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 said: "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."

To further support A&Es this winter, anyone with a non-emergency care need is urged to contact 111 (online or by phone) or their GP first.

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