Delayed ‘super hospital’ announces opening date

The opening of Sandwell’s new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMU) has now been set for October 6, following significant delays.

Work on the Smethwick site was hit by the collapse of construction firm Carillion in 2018 and the Covid-19 pandemic, pushing back the opening date by seven years.

MMU will feature over 700 beds, 11 operating theatres, an emergency unit, and maternity services. It will see Sandwell Hospital’s emergency department close on the same day as MMU’s opening.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust will maintain outpatient clinics, day surgery, and routine diagnostics at Sandwell and City Hospital sites. City Hospital will transition patients to the new facility starting in November, with City’s emergency department also closing then.

The total cost is now expected to exceed £988m, £300m over the original budget.

Vistry Group is driving the £196.5m regeneration of the Birmingham City Hospital site with outline planning permission secured for 750 homes.

Homes England has appointed the major developer to the scheme, as services at City Hospital will be transferred to the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, leaving a large portion of the site surplus to the NHS’ needs.

The scheme will retain the former Infirmary Building frontage block, to be converted into residential accommodation consisting of one, two, three, and four-bedroom townhouses and apartments.