My part in Midland Met – Jagtar Singh
June 4, 2024
Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is one of the biggest healthcare projects the Midlands has ever seen. Naturally, with several teams involved in a project as significant as this, we’re proud to ‘shine a light’ on individuals involved by sharing their valuable contributions to make Midland Met #morethanahospital!
How long have you been at SWB – what is your current role?
I’ve enjoyed working for SWB for over 15 years, taking on several roles. I began working in cancer services, which gave me a good understanding of all the cancer MDTs and patient pathways. Later, I worked in general surgery until I joined the Unity project as a business analyst and a clinical doctor’s workstream lead.
I am now a group business change manager for the Midland Met programme within corporate services.
What part does your role contribute to the Midland Met project?
Primarily, my role is to ensure corporate services are operationally ready to move into the new hospital safely. It involves identifying interdependencies in corporate services and ensuring appropriate action is taken.
I am also involved in the new logistics team, the Soft FM team and the activation group. Enhancing our existing SWB estate is a crucial part of our project. I also support the continued development of the current sites by working with colleagues in the estate team.
How are you preparing for the opening of Midland Met in your team?
I have the privilege of working with over 56 corporate services across the Trust. I think it’s vital to have open conversations with colleagues to ensure that communications are clear, particularly around operational readiness for the new hospital.
I am continually engaging in meetings and liaising with stakeholders to ensure synergy ahead of the move. Additionally, I take part in Midland Met bus tours, spreading the word about the services to our patients and colleagues across our SWB estate. We welcome everyone to stop by the bus to learn about the new facilities at Midland Met.
In what ways will our new hospital help to shape your role for the better?
The project allows me to continue supporting the corporate teams transitioning to Midland Met and help services integrate into the new work environments.
As a member of the corporate team, being involved with the new hospital has helped me to gain an insight into the background of a hospital and understand how several teams – from porters moving patients to the safeguarding team supporting vulnerable patients – can work together to ensure quality care is delivered.
The governance team ensures we are meeting standards safely and ensuring we learn any lessons.
The biggest benefit that Midland Met will bring in your opinion is…
The Midland Met project brings a range of benefits for both colleagues and patients. The benefits include collaborative working, combined services, uniform care and better patient outcomes.
The state-of-the-art catering services, new, clean environments to work in and a new spiritual care centre, to name a few. It’s fantastic that the new hospital has quality facilities for our medical students, such as the medical education centre and the library.
Have you been on a site tour?
I have been fortunate enough to have a site tour – it was impressive and thought provoking. The commissioning team have a great insight into the development of the site, and the team has resolved specific queries raised by teams.
The site is a stunning place. The openness of the Winter Garden and Level 5 will be a fantastic space for all – I will be spending more time there!