Walsall Manor 'in urgent need of revamp cash'
An MP today said a hospital urgently needs funding for a revamp – after he was told applications for the cash will be fast-tracked.
Walsall Manor bosses have said a £14 million upgrade is necessary to cope with the rising number of patients.
It would be spent on two extra medical wards, redevelopment of intensive care, work for the A&E section, and extension to maternity facilities.
The hospital has dealt with increasing demands from the Staffordshire area as part of an overhaul of services there. And a recent norovirus outbreak put further pressure on beds.
Walsall North MP David Winnick wrote to NHS funding managers calling for investment in the site.
And he has been sent a reply by the NHS trust development authority (TDA) chief executive David Flory, who says the process will be sped up. The letter says the TDA is working closely with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to 'expedite this' as quickly as possible. He says Walsall NHS chief executive Richard Kirby and his senior team have met with the TDA.
The letter adds: "The meeting focused on the Trust's proposals for capital expansion. The Trust is in the process of producing the business cases for these proposed capital schemes. The TDA has agreed to fast-track the approvals process to consider the business cases associated with the additional activity." Mr Winnick said: "It is certainly to be hoped that financial approval will duly be given, which the Manor urgently requires."
"What is needed at the Manor as a result of the very large number of extra patients is two extra medical wards, redevelopment of intensive care, work for the A&E section, and extension to maternity facilities."
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust chief executive Richard Kirby said: "I think we would find it a real challenge in accommodating the Staffordshire work we are going to be asked to do in a few years time if we don't get that capital resource."
