Heartbeat: Midland Met mythbusters – Bringing an end to the misinformation

January 8, 2024

We recently celebrated our latest announcement for the Midland Metropolitan Hospital alongside the NHS’s 74th Birthday – finally being able to set a firm opening date for our new acute hospital which will open its doors to patients in 2024.

However, the Midland Met has had its fair share of controversies as we have battled a global pandemic, supply chain issues and rising construction costs. Many of these have unfortunately led to myths and misinformation about the project taking hold.

Whilst as a Trust we have always been open and honest about the issues we have faced on our journey to completing Midland Met, it’s clear that there are some questions that colleagues are keen to have answered, and today we will set the record straight.

Myth: Met is subsiding into the canal

We are able to categorically confirm that the Midland Met is not subsiding into the canal; there have never been any issues with the construction of the new hospital that have had any risk or impact related to the building being developed close to the canal. The canal remains a crucial part of the development offering colleagues, patients and the community a peaceful and idyllic route into the new development avoiding traffic and congestion. Planned works have commenced around the canal wall edge to improve the appearance and meet the development requirements.

Myth: The concrete is crumbling

Construction of the new building has been reviewed and approved throughout every stage of the development, and there are no issues with the quality of construction of concrete used. Whilst there was some staining to plasterwork caused through damp penetrating the building during a pause in construction, this was superficial and quickly repaired when Balfour Beatty was appointed to complete the construction.

Myth: Staff will have to reapply for their own jobs

Whilst it is clear that with the relocation of services to the Midland Met and the acute care model there will be a need for change for some of our staff including changes in base, any changes will be supported by our management of change programme. Partnership work is at the heart of our approach. We will work closely with our Trade Union partners to agree change management principles and take a collective view on our approaches to each core element of change that is identified. Current baseline assessments confirm that we will require a larger workforce than we have currently budgeted for, the new models will allow more opportunity to develop and reach desired career aspirations.

Myth: All support services are being privatised

We are able to confirm that there are no plans to privatise all our support services.

Myth: There are not enough beds at Midland Met

Midland Met will have 739 beds when opened and will focus on delivering our new acute model of care. This means that outpatient clinics, day case surgery and routine diagnostics will be provided from the Sandwell and City Hospital sites. In addition, the full range of community services we offer will continue and be developed further.

For Midland Met to work we need to ensure that we have sufficient community services in place to support reduced admissions and allow people to move out of hospital as soon as they are ready. This is why the biggest transformation required is on those services out in the community.

Myth: Departments don’t know when and where they are moving to MMUH

Each clinical group has a MMUH board with knowledge of where departments are relocating to. Queries should be made to departmental leads. Moving plans will be developed over the next few months to include induction plans and will be shared through clinical groups’ MMUH boards. Corporate preparedness planning will commence in the next few months.