Hundreds of jobs are being axed at a Black Country hospital, it emerged today – as £51 million is cut from NHS budgets across the region.

New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton will shed 300 staff over the next five years. Jobs will be lost through natural wastage but are likely to affect all areas.

The hospital is looking to save almost £9m this year and around £10m a year up to 2015.

Chief executive David Loughton said: “We are planning to make savings in a considered way and avoid general cuts.”

Walsall Hospitals Trust is cutting £8.2m this year. Director of finance Shahana Khan said they would redesign services so they could be run more efficiently.

Hospitals in Dudley plan to save £9.8m this year. Chief executive Paula Clark said savings included reducing unncessary time spent in hospital and the number of patients who miss appointments.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals trust has announced plans to axe 340 staff during 2010/11 and cut £20m from its budget.

And at Stafford Hospital the trust is looking to save £4.6m this year.

Despite the Government’s modest 0.1 per cent increase in NHS spending, trusts say they will be forced to make cuts for years to come due to spiralling costs.