The schemes will include new urgent treatment centres and same day emergency care services, new ambulance fleets and emergency department upgrades. A further 25 new or expanded urgent care sites announced in April will be open for winter.

Health and social care secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘Winter will be more challenging for our NHS this year, after such a heavy summer. That's why we have been preparing early and investing in extra urgent care capacity to help get patients the care they need.

‘NHS staff worked incredibly hard to keep on top of the extra pressure this summer. Now we need to support them in delivering for patients through the winter season, so our NHS is there for all of us when we need it.'

Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, said: ‘This is a welcome investment to strengthen NHS urgent and emergency care and frontline capacity. 

‘NHS leaders and their teams continue to work hard to provide high-quality, timely care as services prepare for the winter months. 

‘With demand on NHS services remaining high, the priority needs to be easing pressure on hospitals, improving patient flow and supporting more people to receive care closer to home or return home sooner.'