Date set for Stafford Hospital A&E to open again

Stafford Hospital's accident and emergency department is on track to re-open fully on June 11, health bosses have announced.

The A&E ward was shut over four months ago after patient safety concerns.

Now, managers said the hospital was making "good progress" in meeting criteria set for the A&E department to re-open overnight.

A formal recommendation for the re-opening date is due to be made by the commissioning board on May 8.

The A&E ward closed between 10pm and 8am in December after patient safety could no longer be guaranteed because of staff shortages.

Bosses have now agreed to re-open the department at night but said it was dependent on the trust continuing to perform well, including reaching a target of 95 per cent of patients admitted at A&E being treated or discharged within a four-hour time period.

Figures show that in weeks two, three and four of March, the trust hit the target with 97 per cent, 95 and 99 per cent respectively of patients in A&E being dealt with within the required time.

During the reduced opening times, Walsall's Manor Hospital has been taking on A&E patients who would have been gone to Stafford.