AIREDALE Hospital is to receive an extra £224,000 to support its Accident & Emergency capacity during the winter months.

The funding is also designed to enable the Steeton hospital to put enhanced infection prevention and control measures in place and make improvements to emergency care and urgent treatment services.

Across England, the Government is providing £300 million to emergency departments, with work to be completed by the start of next year so hospitals can benefit from the upgrades during the peak of winter.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore welcomed the funding.

“Staff across the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust have worked tirelessly over recent months and I would like to thank them for everything they have done to get our local community through the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

“While we hope for the best this winter, it’s right that we plan for the worst. This funding will ensure we are in the best possible position for the challenges that the winter months may bring.”