PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has announced an extra £48m funding for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust — which will pay for building and IT improvements.

The funding for St Mary's Hospital is part of £850m which will be distributed to 20 hospitals across England to upgrade outdated facilities and equipment.

The Isle of Wight was the only trust in the South East region to receive funding — just £177m of the £850m went to hospitals in London, the South East and South West.

Maggie Oldham, chief executive at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said: "This much-needed investment will help us continue to improve the services that we provide to local people.

"It is fantastic news for our local NHS, for the people we look after and the people that work so hard supporting our community.

"By working together with our commissioners, the local council and the community and voluntary sectors we will use this boost to ensure our services are sustainable for future generations.

"I would like to thank our local MP, Bob Seely, for all of his support and for working so hard to get the Isle of Wight the recognition it deserves."

The announcement comes after the Isle of Wight NHS Trust released its annual report and accounts showing a deficit of £22.9m.

In response to the report, a spokesperson for the trust said their financial challenge 'remains significant'.

The Prime Minister said: "The staff at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust work incredibly hard and already have a proud record of championing acute care — from investing in a new helipad for the trauma unit, to refurbishing the emergency department.

"So I’m pleased to announce a £48 million boost for the hospital today — so they can upgrade front line services and make sure even more patients get the best care possible."

MP Bob Seely thanked the trust's staff and leadership team and said he was delighted the government is beginning to listen to the Island more.

He said: "There is more to be done but this is more good news for Islanders.

"Details will be confirmed on Monday, but the Isle of Wight NHS Trust is going to use this money to become a national leader in telemedicine as well as pioneering integrated IT to enable a seamless NHS service.

"It will also spend millions of pounds upgrading parts of St Mary’s to improve patient experience."

Opposition parties have welcomed the new funding announcement but said it is not enough.

Island Labour chair, Julian Critchley, said: "Any extra money is welcome, and will surely offer some relief to the dedicated NHS staff who've been struggling with the effects of funding cuts.

"However, with a large existing deficit, this sum doesn't begin to address the very serious funding shortfall which has seen the hospital placed in both financial special measures and care quality special measures over the last three years."

Vix Lowthion, IW Green Party spokesperson, said: "Extra funding for Island services should always be welcome news. Islanders deserve the best quality health and social care, and in many areas we are pioneers in integration and community led services.

"We must have clarity from the NHS Trust about what new 'buildings and IT facilities' will mean for island patients accessing care in the future, and what their plans are to revisit the acute services redesign proposals previously publicised."

Isle of Wight Council also welcomed the extra £48m, with deputy leader Cllr Stuart Hutchinson saying additional funding was required to help meet the pressures of being an Island.

Cllr Clare Mosdell, cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said she hoped some of the funding would be used to support Islanders who need to travel to the mainland for health appointments and operations.