Pressure builds on Government over delayed Midland Metropolitan Hospital
A health minister has pledged to meet with an NHS trust boss over the future of a partially-built hospital, as the clock continues to tick on the latest deadline for Government approval.
Sandwell's NHS trust is continuing to wait for final sign-off to allow work to re-start on the £475 million Midland Metropolitan Hospital.
The Midland Met is around two-thirds built on Grove Lane, Smethwick. Construction ground to a halt following the collapse of Carillion in January 2018. Bosses say they need the green light by the end of October if work is to resume in December as hoped.
However, a breakthrough over the next four weeks appears far from certain.
Toby Lewis, chief executive of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which will run Midland Met, said a deal was "still possible" by the end of the month.
Asked about the delays in Parliament by Warley MP John Spellar, health minister Edward Agar said he wanted to see the hospital completed but did not confirm whether approval was close.
Trust bosses have been left frustrated by the protracted saga over Midland Met. Mr Lewis previously said approval was needed by the end of August and any further delays could put the target of having the hospital open in time for the Commonwealth Games at risk.
Asking an urgent question in the Commons, Mr Spellar called on Mr Agar to "go back to his department, get out the file, get it signed and get this project moving".
The health minister said in response: "I know how hard Toby Lewis has been working on this as well in running that hospital trust. I have looked into this recently and I'm very happy to meet him to talk through where we are and where our next steps are because, like him, I'm keen that we get things moving."
Mr Lewis said on Twitter: "Still possible to get a deal on Midland Met before 31/10. Terrific support from Balfour Beatty and documents pretty much ready to be inked. Just need final HMG/T (Government and Treasury) approval to sign."
And in his latest report to board members, he added: "Work continues with Balfour Beatty to be ready to restart work on the Midland Metropolitan Hospital in December 2019. This timetable will allow us access to develop the building in early 2022 and the chance to open before summer 2022 and Birmingham 22, the Commonwealth Games."
