AN additional £3.9million will be invested into Worcestershire's hospitals to help them through the busy winter period.

The extra funding for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust was announced last week as part of the Government's £337million budget boost for NHS hospitals countrywide.

Although none of the money has been earmarked for Bromsgrove's Princess of Wales Community Hospital, the funds will support initiatives at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

The investment will help the frailty unit at the Alex as it moves to seven-day working, and fund additional staffing of the Evergreen 2 ward at Worcestershire Royal, providing specialist rehabilitation for patients awaiting discharge.

Additional nursing home beds have also been promised, on top of more district nurses and community-based care staff.

District MP Sajid Javid has welcomed the investment, calling it 'brilliant news' for Bromsgrove residents.

He said: "I am pleased with this Government announcement of £3.9 million additional funding and support over winter for our local NHS. This is brilliant news for residents.

"It’s been my top priority to get our health services back.

"In the past year, I’ve met with the Health Secretary and Chief Executive of the Trust to express my concerns and to push for better services for residents.

"Looking ahead, I will continue to represent my constituents to ensure they have the safe and reliable health services they deserve.”