Patients requiring urgent treatment could face shorter wating times thanks to extra cash being earmarked for the two major hospitals serving Merton.
St Helier and St George's hospitals will receive extra Government funding over the next two years to boost nursing numbers.
St Helier will be given £154,206 before the end of the year, with £632,243 promised for the following financial year, while St George's will receive £19,641 and £80,527 respectively.
The cash will mean at least two additional nurses for each A&E department.
It should also help the hospitals meet the Government's target of people spending no more than four hours from the time they arrive in A&E to when they are admitted, transfer elsewhere or leave.
Local NHS organisations such as Primary Care Groups (PCGs) will get a flat rate cash boost of £20,000 so they can put systems in place to ensure people receive treatment quickly.
Sue Gallagher, chief executive for Merton Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority (MSWHA), said: "This additional funding is very welcome to reduce some of the acute pressures on our local hospitals.
"We are working hard across the local health community to improve services and this will be encouraging to everyone involved."
December 7, 2001 12:01
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