Work on blueprint for £2m hospital revamp

The project will see the range of services available at the site off Moor Lane expanded so more people can be treated closer to home.

Full proposals will go before board members next month and if approved work is set to be begin later this year and be completed by Easter next year, said chief executive Toby Lewis.

Among the options being discussed include bringing on site services for long-term care, which people may currently have to travel further afield for.

There are plans to provide more parking spaces on the site as people often park in residential streets near the hospital.

Mr Lewis said: "More car parking on site will reduce the pressure on local residents."

Other ideas put forward during a consultation in February and March include a pharmacy, midwifery services, such as antenatal and postnatal clinics, and respiratory therapy. Improved gym facilities and space for support groups to help patients and families have also been suggested.

Up to £3m has been spent redeveloping the hospital during the last two years and now the trust expects to invest a further £1m to £2m by 2016.

Services currently based at Rowley Regis include outpatient clinics for cardiology, diabetes, rheumatology and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT).

There is also a primary care assessment and treatment service for patients who need monitoring but not admission to an acute hospital and gym facilities for patients who need physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

The hospital recently opened a 20-bed ward to temporarily house patients declared medically-fit but who cannot be sent home straight away.

It comes as preparation work continues ahead of the construction of the £353m Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick.

The hospital trust has lodged a business plan for the Midland Metropolitan Hospital with the Department of Health and HM Treasury.

The 670-bed hospital is due to take up 16 acres on Grove Lane but a further 31 acres of land between Grove Lane, Cranford Street, Heath Street and Dugdale Street is to be transformed and filled with other employment opportunities and housing schemes.

The hospital will offer a high-tech critical care unit as well as dedicated neonatal, paediatric beds, coronary care, adult acute assessment units. It will also provide 13 operating theatres, 12 maternity delivery suites and six birthing centres

There will also be MRI & CT scanners along with ultrasound facilities and outpatient clinics for maternity care and children.