THE first ward to close at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire to make way for its £400 million re-development will shut next week.

Medical ward 62 at the City General site will be de-commissioned, signalling the start of the 300 bed reduction programme.

A further 12 wards are to be axed over the next two years ready for services to move into the new hospital being built on the same site, but with only 1,018 beds.

The downsizing was needed because the Government ruled the replacement facilities initially planned were too expensive.

Officials say that the beds can safely be cut because improvements will see the time patients spend in hospital fall, and extra rehabilitation and recovery facilities will be laid on in either community hospitals, newly-built primary care centres and even their own homes.

It is expected just under half the beds under threat will close this year.

Tony Bruce, chief executive of NHS North Staffordshire, added: "If clinical practice does not change it could be complete chaos, but steps are now being taken to change clinicians' behaviour."