Delayed Midland Metropolitan Hospital moves closer to re-start
Health bosses have taken a major step towards getting work re-started on a delayed £350 million hospital.
The bid for the completion of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick will be submitted to the Sandwell NHS trust board this week.
If, as expected, it gets the backing of board members the final business case will then be put forward for Government approval.
Balfour Beatty is the only firm to have bid for the contract. The company has been carrying out early works over recent months to ensure the hospital site is ready for fresh work to start.
The Midland Met, which will be one of the most advanced health facilities in the UK when it is finally complete, is around two-thirds built and has remained that way since the collapse of Carillion in January last year. The 'super hospital' is due to open in 2022, three years late.
Trust bosses have vowed to ensure the project provides value for money, as Balfour Beatty has effectively been allowed to run for the contract unchallenged.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust chief executive Toby Lewis said on Twitter: "Exciting week ahead as we submit the Midland Met bid approval case to our board and to regulators. They asked for four weeks to consider it, they have six!"
A trust spokeswoman said Balfour Beatty had a "clear expectation" of a final decision from the Government by July.
The spokeswoman said: "Our procurement process for the completion of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital is progressing to plan. The early works contract remains on track.
"We expect to receive a final contractor bid from Balfour Beatty, as a single bidder, against our specification for quality, price, risk and time that will be incorporated into the preferred bidder final business case that will need government approval in June.
"We have a number of safeguards in place to ensure that, with a single bidder at this stage, we continue to receive value for money and the right standards of quality progressing through to final contract award.
"We recognise the clear expectation Balfour have of the trust and government for a decision in July on their status and are working to deliver that timetable."
