STRUGGLING A&E departments south of the Border are to be given a £500 million Government bailout to help relieve pressure in the coming months.
The cash, announced by Prime Minister David Cameron, will be spread over the next two years to prepare the service for winter and will include £15 million for the troubled 111 phone service.
The emergency care system has come under intense pressure, partly due to a rise in the number of people attending A&E. Over one million more people attend A&E than three years ago.
Some experts have blamed issues in primary care, saying patients feel they have nowhere to turn once GP surgeries are closed.
Major problems with the new 111 service for non-urgent care are also thought to have impacted on A&E.
Last month, MPs on the Health Select Committee said plans to tackle problems in A&E were not robust enough.
The new funding is aimed at A&E departments identified as being under the most pressure and will be targeted at 'pinch points' in local services.
Mr Cameron said: "The additional funding will go to hospitals where the pressure will be greatest, with a focus on practical measures that relieve pinch points in local services.
"By acting now, we can ensure doctors, nurses and NHS staff have the support they need and patients are not left facing excessive waits for treatment."
It comes as The Herald has run its own campaign, Time For Action, calling for a capacity review of the NHS in Scotland. Our investigation has highlighted issues concerning the availability or beds and complaints about staffing levels in hospitals and the community.
NHS England's medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, is currently leading a review of urgent and emergency care south of the border and is expected to report in the autumn.
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