Dorset will benefit from £2.8 million in funding to boost the capacity of post-hospital discharge care and support improved discharge performance, patient safety, experience and outcomes. 

West Dorset will also benefit further from the NHS and government's plan to help recover urgent and emergency care services, reduce waiting times, and improve patient experience.

The local boost forms part of the government's £200 million Patient Discharge fund which, through increasing healthcare provision for patients able to be discharged from hospital, will free up inpatient beds within hospitals.

The move comes amid further changes aimed at reducing ambulance waiting times – an issue which the West Dorset MP Chris Loder has raised in parliament.

The government says frontline capacity will further be boosted further nationwide with 800 new ambulances, including 100 specialist mental health vehicles, and 5,000 more sustainable hospital beds, backed by a £1 billion dedicated fund announced by the government today across England.

The two-year delivery plan for recovery comes amid record demand for NHS services, with the latest data showing more A&E attendances than ever before, growing numbers of the most serious ambulance call outs, and millions of NHS 111 calls a month over winter.

Ambulances have been backed up at many hospitals, unable to admitpatients because of a lack of available beds and staff shortages.

Locally, the Conservative government has come under fire for closing many beds in community hospitals, with many calling for them to reopen to help cope with patient numbers.

Urgent care provided in the community will now be expanded to ensure people can get the care they need at home, without the need for a hospital admission.

Mr Loder said of the announcement: "The number of people discharged from Dorset County Hospital into social care has risen threefold in three years. And with a population where nearly 30% of people are over 65 compared to around 18% nationally, it is essential that Dorset receives the boost it needs to get waiting times for ambulances down and hospital beds free when they are most needed.

"I have argued since my election for much closer integration of Health and Social Care, so am pleased to see this working in tandem to ease the burden on our emergency services."

The NHS, local government and the social care sector said they will work together to improve access to social care and ensure patients can be discharged safely and on time.

Mr Loder added: "I will continue working to make sure the voices of rural communities are heard and are afforded the fairness and rightful allocation of resources that they deserve."