‘Super hospital’ announces opening date – six years behind schedule

A new “super hospital” is to open to patients in 2024 – six years behind schedule after progress was hampered by the collapse of construction giant Carillion in 2018.

Work on the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) in Sandwell has also suffered setbacks due to the pandemic but once opened it will have more than 700 beds, 11 operating theatres and an emergency unit as well as maternity services.

In 2020, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust said it expected the hospital to open this year although building costs were set to almost double from the original £350m.

It is understood that around £709m of the now estimated £998m cost will be met by the taxpayer.

Trust chairman Sir David Nicholson said: “I am delighted that we have reached this stage in the development and are able to confirm with confidence that we will open as soon as possible following completed construction of the building, which will be handed over to the trust before the end of 2023.”