The Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley MP, recently announced a major investment in improving the health care of people in Lincolnshire. The Department of Health is to provide a further £8 million of funding to United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust / Lincolnshire PCT across the years 2011/12 and 2012/13.

This funding is part of an investment of over £330 million towards improving patient services and the overall condition of the NHS across the country. The Department of Health is planning to spend over £72 million on urgent care facilities, £30 million on hospital facilities, £20 for CT scanners and other diagnostic equipment, and £16 million on improving maternity services. A further £6 million will be devoted to improving cancer care and screening, especially in increasing women’s access to breast cancer screening equipment.

“I am absolutely committed to maintaining and improving the quality of services and care that patients need,” the Health Secretary said in a letter to Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh. “Ensuring patients have access to the best quality equipment and services is essential in a modern NHS that strives to put patients first. This investment will mean that old facilities are re-vamped, there is more world-class equipment in NHS hospitals, and more patients get the scans and treatment that they need.”

“I am sure Lincolnshire residents will welcome this inflow of funds,” Edward Leigh MP said in response to the announcement. “Alongside education, health is arguably the most important sector in which the government can have a role in reforming and improving. I am glad that the Government are making this important investment in Lincolnshire’s health and future.”