WE'LL END CORRIDOR CARE

£450M PLAN TO TACKLE CRISIS

- MARTIN BAGOT

HUNDREDS of new ambulances and 55 clinics are being brought in to relieve pressure on busy A&Es.

Wes Streeting yesterday pledged to tackle the scandal of corridor care with a £450million boost. It comes as Keir Starmer vowed to combat child poverty.

Health Secretary Mr Streeting said: "Far too many patients are ending up in A&E who do not need or want to be there, because there isn't anywhere else available.

“Because patients can't get a GP appointment, which costs the NHS £40, they end up in A&E, which costs around £400. Worse for patients and more expensive for the taxpayer.

“The package of investment and reforms we are announcing today will help the NHS treat more patients in the community, so they don't end up stuck on trolleys in A&E.

“Hundreds of new ambulances will help cut the unacceptably long waiting times we've seen in recent years. And new centres for patients going through a mental health crisis will provide better care and keep them out of A&Es, which are not well equipped to care for them.

“No patient should ever be left waiting for hours in hospital corridors or for an ambulance which ought to arrive in minutes.”