St Helier Hospital is missing out on the Government’s £250m winter health fund – despite seeing record attendances last year.

A total of £250m is being handed out to 53 NHS trusts in a short-term move to improve care for elderly people and alleviate pressure on A&E services.

Neighbouring Croydon University Hospital is to get a £4.5m cash boost this winter.

Last year St Helier Hospital’s A&E recorded its busiest ever year – treating a record number of patients.

Earlier this year the hospital had to bring in temporary staff in order to cope with the increased demand on its A&E services and in March the hospital declared a ‘major internal incident’ because it was so busy.

However, despite this the hospital is going to miss out on funding and the MP for Sutton and Cheam, Paul Burstow, called the snub a “double edged sword”.

He said: “The money is allocated on the basis of the places most likely to fall over – in that way it is a compliment.

“I think there is a back handed compliment in saying, compared to Croydon bailed out with this money, St Helier is more likely to cope.

“I think it speaks to BSBV problem when St Helier stands out as the more resilient and capable hospital in the area but BSBV prefer to keep a less resilient and capable hospital.

“I think the fact that Croydon got money shows we are right to question the BSBV agenda.”

Councillor Mary Burstow, chairwoman of the council’s health and well being scrutiny committee, said: “It is recognition that St Helier is providing excellent services – one more reason why you shouldn’t close it.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority picked 53 trusts to receive the funding.

They were chosen because they were the trusts most likely to benefit from the cash boost.