One of Leicestershire's largest hospitals is set to be extended as part of a government plan to increase patient capacity.

Glenfield Hospital in Groby Road will receive nearly £24 million of government money which will be used to build two new 'prefab' modular wards on site.

This comes as part of a £83.9 million investment from the government to increase capacity in Midlands hospitals. Some 254 beds will be made available in the region thanks to the money, the department of health and social care have said and will help "treat patients more quickly this winter".

Construction is due to start at the end of this month on the new wards and they are expected to open in early 2024.

Rachael Briggs, associate director of operations at Leicester's hospitals welcomed the news.

She said: "We're delighted to receive significant national investment into our hospitals which will help create up to 56 extra beds. This will increase our capacity to support local people who require our care."

Glenfield Hospital - well used by Coalville residents - is the biggest recipient of this government funding, which has also seen investment to hospitals in Nottingham, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. The government is hoping to provide 900 new bed across the country as part of a £250 million national NHS investment.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on the news: "Cutting waiting lists is one of my top five priorities, so this year the government has started planning for winter earlier than ever before and the public can be reassured we are backing the NHS with the resources it needs. These 900 new beds will mean more people can be treated quickly, speeding up flow through hospitals and reducing frustratingly long waits for treatment."

The news has been heavily praised by many of the Leicestershire's Conservative MPs. Health minister and MP for Harborough Neil O'Brien said the investment will help cut waiting lists.

He said: "Winter is often a challenging time for the NHS, so this investment will allow health services locally to get ahead of pressures whilst also creating a sustainable NHS fit for the future. Creating additional hospital capacity will support staff to provide the best possible care and treat patients more quickly, helping us to improve waiting times – one of the government's top five priorities.

"Both as a local MP and a health minister I often hear from patients who have had to wait for lengthy periods for the care they need. These 56 new beds will make a real difference for those who require hospital care in Harborough, Oadby and Wigston."

Former GP and current MP for Bosworth Dr Luke Evans also said he was pleased with the decision. He added: "Two new modular wards bringing 56 additional beds to Glenfield, on top of the new hospital for elective inpatients, theatres, outpatients and day cases at the hospital, is really terrific for our area and I know will be welcome news.

"I'm continuing my call for a hat-trick of health, working alongside our NHS to push for approval on the day case Unit at Hinckley Hospital so that people can undergo small procedures locally and hope to have an update soon."