ROYAL Bolton Hospital is to receive a cash injection of more than £3 million to cope with winter challenges.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has been given a slice of £700m – of which £97m has been allocated to the North West - to tackle waiting lists and increase capacity for patients.

It comes as hospitals come under increasing pressure facing seasonal challenges as well as Covid-19.

The trust has been handed £3.4m in digital funding, which is designed to improve processes and in turn patient care.

The funding will be used to review waiting lists, remote patient management. e-triage capability.

The cash has been welcomed by Bolton Council health boss Cllr Susan Baines.

She said: “Additional money is always welcome, especially at this time, during the winter.

“The hospital will best know how to use it to improve patient care for the people across the borough.”

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid said: “Ahead of what is going to be a difficult winter, we’re putting everything behind our health and care services, so everyone can access the services they need, when they need them.

“Our £700m investment will help more people get treated over the coming months by upgrading wards, operating theatres, and diagnostic kit,” he added.

“We’re taking unprecedented steps to keep people healthy this winter, putting the booster roll-out on steroids, and delivering the largest flu vaccine programme in UK history.

“We can all play our part in the national mission – when you get the call, please get the jab.”

The funding was announced as the government published a document setting out the key challenges facing NHS and social care services this winter.