The number of beds at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital could be cut as part of plans to slash £11 million from its budget over the next 12 months, and £49m over the next five years it emerged today.

The plans come as the hospital looks to lose 300 jobs by 2015.

The trust board yesterday agreed its annual plan for 2011/12 that included a series of cost-saving projects.

These included a look at staff roles and responsibilities, a review of the way the hospital buildings and estate is used and an assessment of how the hospital buys its goods and services.

Bosses are looking at changes to the way patients are treated, which could see fewer nights spent in hospital, allowing the trust to reduce beds in some areas.

The £11.8m of cuts equates to around 3.4 per cent of the hospital’s overall budget and comes after £8.9m was saved in 2010/11.

The hospital has pledged changes will still ensure patients have a “first class experience.”

Bosses say the majority of jobs lost will be through natural wastage but are expected to affect all areas.

During the last financial year, the hospital delivered a cash surplus of £8.3m.

Across the NHS hospitals are being forced to make savings as the Government wants £20 billion of savings.