70 extra parking spaces planned for Cannock Hospital in preparation for taking Wolverhampton patients

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust officially takes over the running of the site on Saturday and all of the city's New Cross Hospital non-emergency surgery is being moved to Cannock.

The hospital will cater for more than 20,000 outpatient cases and 10,000 inpatient cases from New Cross.

Shuttle buses are set to transfer patients between the two sites but health chiefs have now revealed plans to create dozens of extra parking spaces to help tackle potential parking problems.

There are currently 396 spaces for the hospital, of which 303 are for staff, 69 for visitors and 24 for blue badge holders.

Council and NHS bosses have been discussing ways to stop surrounding roads becoming clogged and talks have been taking place over the possibility of the hospital sharing the car park at the rear of the council offices in Beecroft Road.

The council car park has around 190 spaces.

Chief executive of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, David Loughton, said he was keen to have more parking for visitors and patients nearer to the hospital and extra parking spaces would be created.

Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson added: "We are looking at an arrangement to do some swapping around.

"We will be looking at joint usage with the hospital. We are looking at the best way to do that.

"We hope a lot of people will use the shuttle bus but it's an unknown situation."

He said he hoped an agreement would be reached soon.

Gwen Nuttall, chief operating officer for Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are aware that car parking at Cannock Chase Hospital can be difficult and that is why we are looking to improve the layout and increase the numbers of patients and staff.

"We will also be introducing a shuttle bus from Wolverhampton to Cannock in an attempt to encourage people to use public transport as well. This will be for patients and staff."

Tens of millions of pounds are being spent on transferring services and upgrading Cannock Hospital.

It comes as health bosses revealed earlier this week that a £25m Government funding package for Cannock Hospital will dry up within 29 months, leaving its future uncertain.

NHS England has said it will continue to work closely with partners who will continue to review the provision and funding of local healthcare services.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust will take over the running of Cannock Hospital from Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which will be dissolved.