Midland Metropolitan Hospital work re-start 'imminent' amid hopes for 2022 Games
The green light for work to start on the partially-built Midland Metropolitan Hospital is expected "imminently", an NHS boss has said.
Sandwell NHS trust bosses have been waiting anxiously for weeks for the business case for the £475 million hospital to be signed off by the Government amid fears of further delays.
Toby Lewis, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which will run the new hospital, has said approval is "certainly" needed by the end of August if delays are to be avoided.
It is hoped that the hospital could open before the Commonwealth Games, which are being held in Birmingham and in Smethwick, at the Aquatics Centre.
The Department of Health (DHSC) has said it is working "as quickly as possible" to ensure work on the hospital can re-start.
The Midland Met, which was being built by Carillion prior to its collapse, is due to open in 2022 on Grove Lane, Smethwick, three years late.
In a report to board members, Mr Lewis said: "We are imminently anticipating approval of the Midland Met final business case by NHS Midlands.
"This had been due in late June. DHSC have indicated that they have concluded their analysis of the case that we issued in mid-May and their support for the scheme to proceed to Treasury officials is awaited.
"The cost, timetable and contractual form to finish Midland Met is wholly consistent with the approved outline business case.
"There is, of course, considerable urgency to finalise a contract with our preferred bidder, in order to secure the offered price and achieve the programme that will deliver the hospital open before the Commonwealth Games."
