Longer 999 journeys fear for patients

Fears have been raised about the length of time it will take to make the 10-mile journey, with emergency provision not provided at Cannock.

A health chief has hit out at the consultation process for the radical £30m proposals, which will see bosses from New Cross take over Cannock Hospital.

All non-emergency surgery from New Cross will be moved to Cannock under the plans, with patients being transferred on shuttle buses.

A document which goes before health chiefs from Wolverhampton City Council next week gives an update on the consultation so far.

It says that most people's comments are about the impact of travelling between the hospitals.

The report adds: "Some are concerned about the journey time of emergency vehicles between the two sites.

"Many people think Cannock is a greater distance from Wolverhampton than it is."

Three public meetings have already been held - all in Wolverhampton, a fact that South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson raised grievances about.

And a fourth is lined up for October 8 at Molineux.

Maxine Bygrave, chair of patient support group Healthwatch Wolverhampton, said people were 'outraged' at the consultation process.

"It's not clear what the public can change about the plans by having their say," she said.

"The issue of ambulance times has been raised, it does provide a concern.

"It feels like it's all been rushed through so quickly because they've got deadline, and thought isn't been given to how the public are feeling."

Work has already begun on transforming Cannock Chase Hospital, with part of the interior being demolished.

The number of theatres is to increase from five to seven and two new wards will be built.

Routine operations, such as gall bladder surgery, hernia repair and hip, knee and ankle surgery, will move from New Cross to Cannock.

Gwen Nuttall, chief operating officer at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said of the ambulance times: "The model we will implement at Cannock Hospital has been approved by the National Clinical Advisory Team to ensure patient safety at all times."

And Maxine Espley, director of planning and contracting, said of the consultation: "During the public events we have answered a number of questions including the issue of transport.

"We have confirmed our plans to work with a bus company to provide a shuttle bus to the Cannock site from a number of stops in Wolverhampton (including the bus station and New Cross).

"This will be free for patients travelling between New Cross and Cannock and further details will be made available once these are finalised."