A £7.1MILLION cash injection to ease pressure on Southend’s hard-pressed A&E has been released by the Government, just hours after MP Anna Firth pleaded its case in the Commons. 

Yesterday, the Government confirmed it would release £7.1 million of new funding for the hospital, after Boris Johnson was quizzed by Southend West

MP Anna Firth during his final Prime Minister’s Questions. 

The cash boost - £7.1million now and a further £1.3million to come - will support a £118million “reconfiguration” of NHS services. 

READ MORE >> Billericay venue releases important message to customers after major fire

The MP had urged Mr Johnson to release the funding after “it was promised five years ago”. 

Southend Hospital, alongside hospitals up and down the country, has struggled to cope with pressure in recent months with regular queues of ambulances outside the A&E department. 

It comes a month after a state-of-the-art £1.4 million building, including 13 consulting rooms, opened at the hospital. Bosses hope it will lead the fightback against long delays and waiting lists. 

Following the announcement, Ms Firth said: “I am absolutely delighted that this funding has finally been released. I have been campaigning extremely hard on this.

"Indeed, have not let a health minister walk past without lobbying them remorselessly on this issue, which is no more than everyone who works at or uses the hospital deserves.

“This new funding will allow much-needed changes to be implemented, which will make a real difference to the way the hospital functions. 

“Southend Hospital celebrates its 90th birthday and, as I said at Prime

Minister’s Questions this week, this funding is the best birthday present we could have asked for. Congratulations to the hospital, and my sincere thanks to the Government for releasing this funding.”

Earlier in the Commons Ms Firth said: “Our heroic NHS staff are hampered by the size of the A&E department. Conservative led capital funding of £8.4 million to expand the A&E department was promised five years ago. Will my Right Honourable friend (Boris Johnson) encourage the new Health Secretary to give us the best birthday present ever. And in the words of Cuba Gooding Jr, ‘Show me the money’.”

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson respond with: “My hon. Friend is a brilliant champion for Essex and her hospital. I know the case is under review by the Department, but never forget it is only possible because of the money this Government are investing.”