A HOSPITAL trust has been given a major financial shot in the arm in a bid to protect services for patients.

Health sector regulator Monitor has agreed to increase the amount of money paid for six essential services at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) which looks after hospitals in Barrow, Kendal and Lancaster.

The exact value of the subsidy will depend on the number of patients using the services covered by the changes but it is estimated the trust could receive between £20-25m - while a clinical strategy for the Morecambe Bay area has been awarded £9.9m.

It is the first time the regulator has used its statutory powers to change the national prices paid to a trust by local commissioners.

The decision reflects the increased costs the trust faces running health services across multiple sites in rural locations and reduces the likelihood that it will need further funding from the Department of Health.

It follows a successful application by UHMBT for a local modification to the National Tariff, which sets out what trusts are paid for the services they provide.

The services affected are accident and emergency, general surgery, trauma and orthopaedics, paediatrics, women’s health and non-elective medical specialities.

Dr David Bennett, chief executive at Monitor, said: “There are finite funds available for the NHS and this adjustment will help to share the burden more fairly across the local health economy. However, commissioners and providers need to do more to solve all the financial challenges in the local area.”

Aaron Cummins, UHMBT director of finance and deputy chief executive, said: "We particularly welcome the recognition from Monitor that we face a unique challenge in this area - providing healthcare across five sites to a population size which often, in more urban areas, is served by fewer hospitals.”

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock, who has championed the cross-community Save Our Hospital campaign to protect vital services at Furness General Hospital, welcomed the announcement alongside Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron who has worked to secure extra funding.

Monitor's decision comes at the same time as clinical strategy Better Care Together has been given £9.9m of national NHS funding.

It follows the announcement in April that the programme was selected as part of the 'vanguard' for the NHS New Care Models scheme.

The money will be used to implement and accelerate a number of the main Better Care Together initiatives including working towards a more integrated urgent care system in South Lakeland and Barrow-in-Furness and the development of information technology systems.