NORTH Yorkshire is to receive nearly £2.5 million of additional winter funding for adult social care.

MP Kevin Hollinrake has been calling for more funding for social care services in his constituency of Thirsk and Malton.

He said the extra cash - part of an overall £240m of additional money across the country for social care - means that patients who are ready to leave hospital, but are delayed because they are waiting for adult social care services, will be able to go home earlier. The funding will help to reduce delayed transfers, reduce extended lengths of stay, improve weekend discharge arrangements and speed up the process of assessing what social care is needed for patients in hospitals.

Mr Hollinrake said: “This is really good news. I am delighted that almost £2.5 million of additional winter funding for adult social care will be spent in North Yorkshire.

“The fact is that, as we live longer, the demands on the health service are greater every year putting huge pressure on an already stretched NHS, especially in winter.

“This extra money will certainly plug a gap in the short term.

“We must also plan for the long term and so today I took the opportunity during today’s Prime Minister’s Questions to ask the Prime Minister to give her fullest consideration to the joint Health and Social Care Committee/Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report, which recommends a social insurance system of the type that has been so successful in Germany.”