Midland Metropolitan Hospital: 'Glass palace' will be up and running in 1,000 days

A video, made by developer Carillion, showed off the new site, which will cost £588 million and create 100 new apprenticeships during the building phase.

It shows a smart eating area and comfortable wards and rooms for patients as well as larger waiting areas.
In a ceremony celebrating the 1,000-day countdown, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust chief executive Toby Lewis called the building a “glass palace” but said it was not just about bricks and mortar .
“It is about building teams,” he said.
“It isn’t just a hospital and it’s not just about bricks and mortar.
“The teams are the thing we are going to build.
"If we put the teams together (from Sandwell and City hospitals) we will deliver better outcomes.
“We have seen dramatic improvements in maternity services as a result of this.
"Three years ago we moved the stroke service to Sandwell from City and now it is one of the best in the UK.”
After his speech Mr Lewis told the Mail: “It’s been a long time coming.
"At the moment staff do a wonderful job.
"But this new hospital means moving towards acute care seven-days-a-week.
"The hospital will also have the space to expand.”
City and Sandwell hospitals will continue to run outpatient services, intermediate care facilities and planned surgery, while the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre will remain on Dudley Road.
The Birmingham Treatment Centre will remain and a new Sandwell Treatment Centre will be developed on the West Bromwich site.
Plans also include an huge car park with underground access to wards and departments.
All bathrooms will accommodate wheelchair access, and half the beds will be in single rooms.
Premises at City and Sandwell hospitals left empty by the new hospital will be redeveloped to provide homes.

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