Midland Hospital

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust has received approval from the UK Government to build the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital at a cost of £353m in Smethwick.

The project will be funded by both the public and private sector through a Private Finance 2 model, and includes a £100m contribution from taxpayers.

To be built on more than 16 acres of land in Grove Lane, the 670-bed hospital will provide treatment and care for patients from Sandwell and across the region.

Construction of the new hospital, which will have nearly 80,000m² of floor space, is expected to begin in 2016 and complete by 2018-2019.

"We intend to make sure that we retain the trust of local people as we re-shape services around their needs."

The hospital will replace emergency services currently being provided at Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich and City Hospital in Winson Green.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive Toby Lewis said that the trust is committed to developing more community-based services and refurbishing Sandwell Hospital for better outpatient and intermediate care in West Bromwich.

"We have just four years to deliver on that vision and we intend to make sure that we retain the trust of local people as we re-shape services around their needs," Lewis added.

The trust may select a private sector partner in 2015, which would in turn select its main contractor for building the project.

Plans associated with the project are set to be finalised over the coming months, with all funding subject to final approvals.


Image: A view of the site for the proposed Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick, UK. Photo: courtesy of Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.