Plans for new A&E department at hospital move a step forward
A new accident and emergency department at a Midlands hospital could take a major step forward, after plans were recommended for approval.
Health chiefs at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital hope to unveil the much-needed new department in time for winter 2015.
The proposals will go before Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee on Tuesday but officers have recommended they should be approved.
A pay and display car park opposite the hospital is also earmarked for redevelopment, under plans which will go before the same meeting.
Health chiefs are hoping to demolish the pay and display car park and replace it with a mental health unit, creating 60 new jobs.
Outline plans for this development are also recommended for approval.
The new accident and emergency centre earmarked for New Cross will be four storeys high and includes a a public space in front of the main public entrance.
But the move will mean the loss of 135 staff car parking spaces.
A report to the city council said: "The location of the emergency centre would result in the loss of 135 staff parking spaces.
"However, the recent construction of the multi-storey on the east side of the hospital circulatory road, and the recent provision of temporary surface car parks has off set this loss."
The hospital's A&E has come under pressure in the past year, with record numbers of patients coming through the door. In one day alone, there were 365 patients coming to the department.
Trust chief executive David Loughton said the department was 'unfit for purpose'. Meanwhile, the proposed unit will be three times the size of the current one.
The mental secure unit is proposed for land opposite the hospital, between Wolverhampton Road and the Wyrley and Essington Canal.