New £10m A & E plan for New Cross

A new £10million accident and emergency department will be created at a Black Country hospital because the current one cannot cope with surging patient numbers.

Detailed plans for the new A & E department at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital are now being drawn up and will be unveiled within months.

David Loughton, head of the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS trust which runs the hospital, labelled the current A & E department as "unacceptable."

Mr Loughton believes it's in need of rapid change in order to improve care for patients.

The hospital is under growing pressure due to more people turning up in A & E. Earlier this month, New Cross experienced its busiest ever day in A & E with 354 patients needing to be seen.

It's hoped to demolish and rebuild A & E for around £10million.

Chief executive Mr Loughton said: "Within 12 to 18 months we will have to have a new A & E.

"The current situation with patients milling around in the corridor is unacceptable."

Mr Loughton confirmed that money will be spent in A & E to improve the department before the demolition starts.