Delayed Smethwick super hospital to finally open in October
The Midland Metropolitan University Hospital has faced years of delays.
Last updated 22nd Aug 2024
A much-delayed super hospital will finally open later this year following the green light from bosses.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust confirmed the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) will open on October 6.
The new acute general hospital is being constructed on a 16 acre site on Grove Lane in Smethwick and will house more than 700 beds, 11 operating theatres and an emergency unit. It will also host maternity services.
But the project has been beset with delays, having been first slated to open in 2018, and increasing building costs with the final bill expected to be in excess of £988 million – £300 million more than originally planned.
Work on MMUH first came to a halt with the collapse of construction giant Carillion. It also suffered further setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It has been slated for a Spring 2023 opening but it was pushed back even further until this autumn.
Trust chiefs believe the new hospital will provide a world class setting to transform healthcare in the area.
They also believe it will revitalise the region through increasing skills, employment, and wages, attracting new business and investment and encouraging new housing and infrastructure investment.
It aims to bring together all acute and emergency care services currently available across City Hospital and Sandwell Hospital.
The hospital will also be home to a new £18million learning campus being largely funded from Towns Fund investment, set to open in 2025.
Trust Chairman Sir David Nicholson said: “This is truly a key moment for our patients, people, and population as we know that this winter, we will be delivering emergency care in an environment which exceeds expectations and delivers benefits in wellbeing both for patients and our staff.
“Our board carefully considered extensive information about all aspects of the programme to deliver the new hospital safely.
“We are assured of the clinical safety, patient, and staff experience case for opening and transferring patients.
“These key milestones mark the final steps in our journey towards opening the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital which is poised to become the centre of acute and emergency care at our Trust.”
Richard Beeken Trust Chief Executive added: “For many people this has been a long time coming so this is a significant milestone in our determination to continue to improve the life chances and health outcomes of our population.”