Taking on extra services will 'save Cannock Chase Hospital'
Moving services from Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital to make full use of Cannock Chase Hospital was the 'best option available', the council leader claimed today.
Cannock will house non-emergency surgeries and pre-planned operations under proposals submitted to administrators placed in charge of Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Free shuttle buses will move patients between the two sites and staff will move from New Cross as seven of Cannock's nine wards are filled with clinical work.
In effect Cannock will become a sister hospital to New Cross, with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Hospitals Trust running it.
The leader of Cannock Chase Council, George Adamson, said the move would secure the hospital's future.
Councillor Adamson said: "It's great news. I have already given Wolverhampton our full support. It keeps Cannock open and in the NHS and will provide services to local people. And the shuttle service will mean easy transport in between the two hospitals – it's the best option available."
Several options were mooted for the future of Cannock Hospital, including closing it down altogether or moving to a new building.
"There was always a danger it would be priviatised," Councillor Adamson said. "At the moment it's running way under capacity and Wolverhampton want to make it a full hospital. I think people will be very relieved."
It is anticipated that the move will take place in the next two years.
The plans will enable New Cross to take on services from Stafford Hospital.
However, board member of the Wolverhampton branch of patient group Healthwatch Brian Griffiths said: "It's far from ideal but it's understandable in the circumstances."
