Health Secretary Frank Dobson came home to York today and unveiled details of a £2 million-plus cash bonanza for the region's hospitals.

The cash, to benefit hospitals including York, Scarborough, Harrogate, Northallerton and Hull, is part of a £115 million investment in the country's casualty departments.

Mr Dobson, who grew up in Dunnington, visited York District Hospital, where he told staff of half a million pounds that has been allocated to the city's casualty department.

The cash will be used to introduce a night admission ward to the accident and emergency department and improve medical equipment, including lifesaving machinery in the renal unit, opened by Mr Dobson in March.

The cash is part of the biggest ever spending programme in Accident and Emergency services, affecting 149 hospitals. Mr Dobson added: "Our commitment to modernisation is changing the face of the NHS. For too long the Accident and Emergency departments have been overlooked and we have all had some experience of waiting in rather grotty surroundings.

"This is not just a slap of paint. The older, outdated departments will be brought up to 21st century standards with enhanced facilities and innovative ways of treating patients."

Today's announcement follows a £1 million upgrade to York's unit, announced in February, which will improve staff safety by relocating the reception to give a better view of the waiting area. Treatment cubicles will be better separated in the unit, which last year dealt with 59,000 patients. Other improvements included a separate children's waiting area and new bathing and chemical decontamination facilities.

Graham Sheath, programme manager for the A&E Capital Scheme at York District Hospital, said: "We are obviously delighted with the allocation. We will be able to further improve our development scheme for the A&E department, for the new night admission ward facilities and resuscitation and other medical equipment."

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