LANCASHIRE councils will receive more than £7million to help free up up hospital beds this winter.

The extra cash for local authorities responsible for adult social care was announced yesterday by the government.

Blackburn with Darwen council will receive £764,416, Lancashire County Council £5,518,152. and Blackpool £903,685.

The cash, announced by Health and Social Care Matt Hancock, has been given a qualified welcome.

It is aimed at easing winter pressures on the NHS, getting patients home quicker and freeing up hospital beds..

Blackburn with Darwen Council finance boss Cllr Andy Kay said: "We can certainly put this extra money to good use but it is only scratching the surface of this problem.

"They are constantly tinkering around the edges which only worsens the situation. This is not the long-term funding strategy we need to tackle this very difficult problem."

His counterparts at the two Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) responsible for primary care in East Lancashire welcomed the news.

The cash, part of £240 nationwide, is for home care packages to help patients get out of hospital quicker; reablement programmes, to aid patients to regain the mobility and confidence to carry out everyday tasks; and home adaptations, including new facilities for personal care such as adapting shower rooms for patients with limited movement.

Mark Youlton, Accountable Officer at East Lancs CCG and Roger Parr, deputy chief executive at Blackburn with Darwen CCG said in a joint statement: “This is really welcome news.

"Helping the public to stay well and avoid staying in hospital any longer than necessary are key strategic objectives for the CCGs so we positively welcome any extra financial support to help us achieve this.”

Dr Amanda Doyle, a GP and chief officer for the Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria partnership said: “This additional investment for social care will help to get patients home quicker and free up beds across our hospitals in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

"This much-needed additional resource will help to enable people to be supported better at home and alleviate pressure on the NHS.”

Mr Hancock said: “We will use this money to help people who don’t need to be in hospital, but do need care, to get back home."

He added: "I want to help the NHS through this winter."