The government has announced a £140 million boost to fund 14 urgent care schemes to boost NHS capacity and ease pressure on A&E.

The funding will go to 14 new urgent care schemes across England, including new urgent treatment centres (UTCs) and same day emergency care services (SDECs), new ambulance fleets, and emergency department upgrades.

25 new or expanded urgent care sites that were announced in April  will be open for winter, to provide frontline capacity as the NHS prepares for the heavy demands of the colder months.

In total, the government is investing almost £2 billion in urgent care capital projects until 2030.

Dr Emma Rowland, NHS Executive Director for Performance and Delivery, said: "We know this winter will be tough for the NHS and we’re doing everything we can to reduce pressure on our emergency departments and make sure patients get the care they need, while protecting our staff.

"Investment in same-day emergency care and urgent treatment centres will help more patients get the right care in the right place, at the right time.

"Prevention is just as important, so if you’re eligible for a flu or other winter vaccination then please come forward and get protected.

"Vaccination helps protect you, your family, some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and, for those working in health and social care, the patients we care for."

Sir Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of the NHS Alliance, said: "This is a welcome investment to strengthen NHS urgent and emergency care and frontline capacity.

"NHS leaders and their teams continue to work hard to provide high-quality, timely care as services prepare for the winter months.

"With demand on NHS services remaining high, the priority needs to be easing pressure on hospitals, improving patient flow and supporting more people to receive care closer to home or return home sooner.”