Feedback sought on £30m hospital plan

Chief executive David Loughton said that current demands were unsustainable as more patients flood in from Staffordshire.

It is hoped that by moving surgery to Cannock, space will be freed up at New Cross for A&E work.

At a health panel scrutiny meeting, council officials spoke with representatives from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust about public consultations over the £30mn proposals.

The trust claims that current constraints on capacity at New Cross have been driven by an increasing demand on unscheduled emergency care.

Mr Loughton said: "Combatting the demand for unscheduled care alongside planned surgery will not work any longer under these circumstances.

"We have been taking on board feedback from our consultations and will continue to do so."

Members of the public have been given opportunity to air their opinions on what health bosses can do to make the changeover easier for potential patients since July. The consultation period has been extended from nine to 13 weeks and will end on October 17.

To promote the consultation events, the hospital trust has taken to social media, radio stations, newspapers, held a pop up event in the Mander Centre and set up a website.

The website, wolverhamptonccg.nhs.uk, has had 1,545 hits so far.

Maxine Espley, director of planning and contracting, said: "We are trying to make sure people understand we want to hear from them.

"We will be speaking to tenants and residents groups from all over to ensure we get as many points of view as possible.

"Also, this period will not be the one and only opportunity for people to give us their opinion."

A round table discussion on matters will be held at Molineux on October 8 from 6-8pm.

The demographic of those whose opinions have already been collected was discussed at the meeting.

Councillor Paul Singh indicated that residents from the Penn ward would have a lot to say if they were more aware of the opportunity.

Councillor Singh said: "50 per cent of my ward are retired and there are a lot of nursing homes.

"Im sure these people will have their concerns and opinions and we should work to ensure their voices are hear because elderly people will need care the most.

"Engaging with elderly people is always important especially on topics such as this."

While public reaction to the proposals has so far been mixed, Councillor Daniel Warren claimed that in the future, patients would see the benefit.

He said: "There has been a lot of rumour and misinformation surrounding this project so far but I have faith that in time it will be seen as a good thing."