Stafford hospital children's services makes move to Wolverhampton
Children's services have today moved from Stafford's County Hospital to Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital.
New Cross is splitting paediatric services between there and Royal Stoke University Hospital. It comes despite campaigners from Stafford opposing the plans.
Some children with long-term conditions will transfer to New Cross today to continue receiving their care, with outpatient clinics being held at Cannock Hospital so services can be provided closer to patients' homes.
A new 28-bed ward will be available at Cheetham's Children's Centre in Stoke, while a new children's Emergency Centre will open at County Hospital. It will be open between the hours of 8am and 10pm.
As part of the move, New Cross has taken on new staff, including two paediatric consultants, one doctor and four qualified children's nurses, a play specialist and a healthcare assistant.
Sultan Mahmud, integration programme director at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: "Many months of planning has taken place to ensure the smooth transition of services.
"The children's directorate is looking forward to welcoming these patients and staff into the service.".
