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£350 million Sandwell super hospital approved

This £350 million super hospital – home to 670 beds and 15 operating theatres – has been given the green light to be built in Sandwell.

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The long-awaited Midland Metropolitan Hospital cleared its final hurdle tonight after being backed by members of Sandwell Council's planning committee.

The super hospital is expected to open in Grove Lane, Smethwick, in late 2018 and will serve more than half a million people living in Sandwell and West Birmingham. Construction is expected to begin in January.

At the meeting, Anthony Harding, the hospital trust's planning consultant, said: "It will not only deliver a major hospital development but significant transformation benefits for Cape Hill, Smethwick and Sandwell."

Planning committee chairman Steven Frear added: "This is the biggest planning application since I have been chairman and the biggest in Sandwell for a long time.

"It is a step in the right direction, a good, good plan. I'm looking forward to autumn 2018."

And Cradley Heath and Old Hill Councillor Julie Webb said she was particularly impressed with the artists' impressions of the site, which were shown to committee members during the meeting.

"It is a beautiful building and as we say here in the Black Country, you have done a bostin' job," she said.

More than 1,700 parking spaces will be provided underneath the hospital building. Mr Lewis said he was confident it would be enough to serve patients, particularly as the new hospital will not handle outpatients services. These will be retained at Sandwell, City and Rowley Regis hospitals.

Mr Lewis also said there would be space for the hospital to expand over the coming decades as the population in the West Midlands grows.

The creation of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital will bring emergency and healthcare services in Sandwell onto one location.

The modern hospital features a glimmering glass roof, floating sculptures, futuristic lighting and gardens for patients and visitors.

Toby Lewis, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: "This is a pivotal moment for the half million local people who will have access to this single specialist emergency hospital, with state-of-the-art facilities which will improve outcomes for patients.

"It is a strong go-ahead towards our continued focus to offer truly integrated care for our communities. In December we will sign the contract with The Hospital Company and move to cut the first sod in early January."

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said the new super hospital would provide the borough with a major boost, bringing more jobs as well as improved healthcare for patients.

The new hospital will have around 670 beds and 15 operating theatre suites and has been designed to meet the best international and national standards.

It will also have a number of innovative design features including a fully enclosed winter garden and car parking within the hospital building on the ground and first floors to create a secure environment for both patients and staff.

There will be a hi-tech critical care unit as well as dedicated neonatal, paediatric beds, coronary care, and adult acute assessment units.

There will also be MRI and CT scanners along with ultrasound facilities and outpatient clinics for maternity care and children

The arrival of a super hospital in Sandwell has been long-awaited and it will open at least a decade after outline planning permission was first granted in 2008.

The current Sandwell and City Hospital sites will continue to be used, although parts of them will be developed into housing once the super hospital is complete.

The Birmingham Treatment Centre will remain in operation at City Hospital, while a similar centre will be added at Sandwell Hospital.

Two A&E units are being brought together at the new site.

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