Hospitals in the West Midlands are frantically preparing for the closure of Stafford Hospital’s accident and emergency department by attempting to find extra beds and staff.

Hundreds of extra patients are expected to be treated at New Cross and Walsall Manor Hospitals over the next three months after scandal-hit Stafford Hospital was forced to close its A&E over fears of patient safety.

Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital is preparing to open an extra ward to cope with the influx of extra patients – but has warned it doesn’t have the staff to cover it.

At Walsall Manor bosses say they have to find an extra five staff to cope but said there is still more to do before the planned closure on Thursday night.

Today West Midlands Ambulance service revealed it will have between two and four extra ambulances working in Staffordshire to cope with the longer travel times.

Stafford Hospital made the decision to close its A&E for three months between 10pm to 8am because shortages mean it cannot guarantee patient safety. The closure will affect 830 patients a month with 450 being treated in the Black Country, on average 15 extra patients per night.

On Monday New Cross Hospital’s board will discuss plans to open a new ward but a report says it has a lack of staff and little time to recruit people. It could use agency staff and use space at West Park hospital.

Jayne Tunstall, chief operating officer at Walsall Manor, said patient safety was a priority adding: “We will continue to work closely with all of our partners up to Thursday and beyond.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service today said it has negotiated extra ambulances with health chiefs.

Stafford Hospital chief executive Lyn Hill-Tout said she was grateful for the support from other hospitals adding: “We are liaising closely with them to make sure all patients will be cared for safely.”