Revamp will see new £3.4m ward built on site of Walsall Manor Hospital car park

The facility at Walsall Manor will deal with patients that have been moved from other wards that are being redecorated or cleaned.

The 'decant' ward would be built on the west side of the hospital site. The contract is currently out to tender with six firms in the running.

There would be a mixture of multi-bedded rooms and single en-suite rooms, with neighbouring accommodation.

It comes as the hospital faces soaring admissions, with bosses hoping to secure a slice of £14 million funding as part of the break-up of Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. That cash would be spent on revamps of A&E, intensive care and maternity facilities.

Bosses say the new ward will help ensure patients are not disrupted while areas of the hospital are worked on.

The new facility could also include additional dining areas, a League of Friends shop, exercise gym, seminar room, reception and offices.

A detailed business case is being drawn up to ensure the costs can be met for the project.

A report by Colin Plant, divisional director of estates and facilities, states: "In order to support a planned programme of environmental improvements to wards within the retained estate it is proposed to establish a 30 bedded decant ward at the hospital.

"Such a planned approach to making environmental improvements within the majority of wards in the West Wing will also support the opportunity to effectively undertake an annual deep clean of clinical areas.

"At times when the new ward is not being used as a decant for planned refurbishment, then there can be consideration to use the facility for other opportunities."

It was revealed last month that the number of emergency hospital admissions is rocketing. The number has been far higher than bosses had planned for and now calls are being made for urgent investment. Bosses say increased demand from Staffordshire has put pressure on services.