The critical care units at Croydon University Hospital are set to benefit from £12.7 million worth of funding under Boris Johnson's spending pledge.

The brand new units will provide 24 intensive care and high dependency beds – almost doubling the current space and will include more en-suite facilities, quiet rooms and waiting areas to support families at some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Matthew Kershaw, chief executive at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said: "Today’s funding announcement gives us the opportunity to make some much needed changes to our critical care services.

“Every day our staff work incredibly hard, providing the best care possible to seriously ill patients.

"But with a limited number of beds and a unit that hasn’t been refurbished since the mid-80’s, many Croydon residents needing critical care have ended up in a hospital too far away from home.

“By redeveloping our intensive treatment and high dependency units, we can ensure that our patients can receive the life-dependent care they need in their local hospital, and in an environment that provides the highest levels of care and dignity.”

Croydon’s current critical care units have received only "routine and essential" maintenance since they were built in 1984.

Mr Kershaw added that the announcement will allow the Trust to bring its facilities into the 21st century and respond to increasing demand for NHS services now and into the future.

“These redevelopments improve not only the facilities for patients, but the working environment for our staff," he said.

"I’m very proud of the care we deliver to the people of Croydon and to all of the staff who make this possible.

“Critical care is the next stage in a package of improvements, and as part of the local health and care plan we are focusing on our services in and out of hospital.

"Our partnership working in Croydon is helping to deliver more joined-up care across hospital and community services as well as local GPs, social care and the voluntary groups.

"This is the modern NHS and I hope that our success for collaborative working – along with these fantastic new facilities – will encourage more doctors, nurses and other health professionals to join us, making Croydon Health Services the best place to be."