PRESSURE on hospitals during the busy winter months could be eased by a £22 million NHS handout.

And the good news is some of the cash - £500,000 - will improve care in North West Lancashire.

It will be spent on keeping waiting times to a minimum, extra beds and staff recruitment.

Robert Tinston, the NHS's North West Regional Director, said: "We know from experience the entire service comes under enormous pressure during the winter with soaring medical emergencies.Now we have a welcome boost in funding which will enable us to ensure that in all but the most extreme cases, patients will receive high quality treatment when they need it."

Around £1 million of additional cash will be invested in Intensive Care and High Dependency Care projects to be agreed with Health Authorities, NHS Trusts and other organisations.

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