Operating theatres at the Manor will stay open overnight now “risky” plans to shut them and introduce an on call system for doctors have been scrapped.
Protests from theatre staff prompted bosses to halt their consultation and re-think the plans which have now been abandoned.
Spokeswoman Fiona Boyle said today: “At present Walsall Manor Hospital has a dedicated emergency theatre team for any emergency operations outside of normal theatre hours.
“The trust did have some discussions about establishing an on-call system however at this time there are no plans to take this forward and we can confirm that a dedicated emergency team is still in place.”
The trust performed 20 life-saving operations at night in the six months up to last September.
The plans, which would have saved the trust a £72,000 a year, were attacked by staff who claimed an on-call system would put lives at risk.
Several members of staff live more than 20 minutes from the hospital. Critics say valuable time would be lost before they could get there – potentially placing patients’ lives in danger.
Unison spokeswoman Tracey Wood said: “I understand the plans have been scrapped because it was felt they were too risky.”
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