UP to 200 extra staff car parking spaces could be provided on scrub land at the back of the borough’s main hospital, Dudley Group bosses have confirmed.

Paula Clark, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, has confirmed the Trust has been in talks with Dudley Council over the possibility of providing further spaces to help ease the parking problems at and around Russells Hall Hospital.

But she stressed discussions were at a “very early” stage and added: “We are still assessing its economic viability.

“Any decision on extra staff car parking will also be subject to a full environmental impact assessment and full planning application procedures.”

She said the hospital has also now introduced free parking for patients attending the oncology and renal departments three times a week or more for an extended period.

And visitors attending the Dudley hospital can save money on parking fees by buying a value card, for £15 plus £6 refundable deposit, which gives unlimited parking on the visitor car park for seven consecutive days from the day of purchase.