As part of his ‘Road to Recovery’ tour across England, Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid opened a new £15 million A&E department at Leighton Hospital, Crewe.

The trust secured funding as part of the government’s ongoing commitment to investing in modern facilities, and the A&E began taking patients on 15 February. The new facilities will help staff continue to provide world class care and enable the hospital to better meet the needs of the people of Cheshire. With a dedicated paediatric unit, more resuscitation bays and more mental health assessment rooms, patients will be seen quicker, in a larger and safer environment.

NHS staff across the North West and West Midlands were thanked for their tireless efforts to provide care over the course of the pandemic by the Health and Social Care Secretary as he visited Deeplish Community Centre, Rochdale, Leighton Hospital, Crewe, and Birmingham Heartlands hospital.

Staff shared their experiences of working under immense pressure during the pandemic and discussed the government’s plans to reform, integrate and fund the NHS and social care, in a drive to build back better.

Javid said: “It’s been fantastic to visit the health services in the North West and West Midlands to thank staff for their efforts throughout the pandemic and outline our commitment to reform, recovery and funding for our NHS and social care.

“We are committed to tackling the Covid-19 backlog and building a health and social care system for the long term that works for everyone. Our recent Elective Recovery Plan is a vital step in rethinking how our health and care services deliver operations, treatment and checks as we level-up services up and down the country.”