The Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is a major 700+ bed acute and emergency care hospital in the centre of Birmingham, UK. It is part of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust estate, and a consolidation to one site of all acute and emergency care services previously at two separate sites, City Hospital and Sandwell General Hospital. The brand new, state-of-the-art facility provides emergency, maternity, children’s and adult acute inpatient services to over half a million people.

Arup was appointed as NEC 4 Supervisor, a key quality control role to monitor the compliance of works undertaken by the main building contractor. Drawing on our depth of healthcare experience, we provided a dedicated and flexible team of engineers, project managers and architects to support the Trust as the project progressed through the construction, commissioning and handover phases of the new hospital project.

In support of patient health and wellbeing, the hospital itself is a green and sustainable building, incorporating around 2.5 acres of roof gardens and planted internal courtyards. Combining wildflower seeding to enhance biodiversity and  a178-panel solar PV array on the remaining roof space ensures this facility is cutting edge in terms of sustainability.

Driving success through innovation

A state-of-the-art paperless approach to undertaking inspections and tracking observations was adopted. BIM 360 Field was used by the NEC Supervisor team and the contractors as part of the commissioning and handover stages, enabling real-time access to activities on site whilst on the move through the hospital building. This made it possible for direct contact with the contractor, providing instant feedback and therefore follow on defect corrections. This real-time process provides an efficiency that traditional reporting does not and allows real time feedback to both client and contractor as to the status of defects, trends and speed of close out.

An information management approach was utilised to analyse the huge volume of data generated across the 85,924m2 site. A variety of digital reports and tools were employed which automated the reporting process and summarised key data into visuals dashboards that were easy to interpret for the Hospital Trust and Project Team, which was crucial in informing the decision-making process.

Enhancing the patient experience  

Patient experience, privacy and dignity are at the core of MMUH’s design. At the heart of the hospital is an innovative Winter Garden, a fully enclosed space for all building users. It gives access to amenities, provides a quality environment to meet with visitors, enables community engagement, and the opportunity to experience exhibits within the local community.

50% of the inpatient beds are provided in single rooms with ensuite shower rooms. All bedrooms have an external view onto one of the courtyards or land surrounding the hospital site. State-of-the-art nurse call technology allows two-way communication between patients and nurses at the touch of a button from the patient bed. Separate circulation routes are provided throughout the facility, with specific corridors and lifts for patients staying in the hospital, affording them greater privacy and increasing operational efficiency for staff. 

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital winter garden

The hospital's Winter Garden is a fully enclosed space for all to enjoy

Patient room in the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital

Each bedroom offers an external view of the courtyards or the surrounding hospital grounds

 

 

 

Designing around challenges

The project had significant challenges around re-commencing construction works on a partially built facility which had been exposed to the elements for a number of years. At the time, only a small portion of the building works had been installed and whilst a large portion of the building envelope was completed, the building was in a state of disrepair.

Arup were appointed as NEC Supervisor prior to the contract award to Balfour Beatty Construction, and a newly appointed team worked together to complete the partially constructed building, who also had to contend with Covid restrictions during the works.

Managing quality

Effective communication was paramount in ensuring the success of the project. Our team established a robust communication framework including regular reports, feedback sessions, and on-site reviews. This approach has fostered a collaborative environment between our team, client, consultants, main contractor, and sub-contractor teams.

By maintaining open lines of communication, we have been able to promptly address any issues that arose, ensuring that all parties are aligned and informed throughout the construction period. This proactive approach not only enhances the quality of the work being performed but also builds trust and transparency among all stakeholders. Our commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to high standards has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of this large-scale project, ultimately contributing to the delivery of a unique healthcare facility that meets the needs of a diverse community.

Entrance to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital

Opened in 2024, the state-of-the-art facility provides healthcare services to over half a million people

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital welcome centre

The main welcome centre at the 700+ bed acute and emergency care hospital

Midland Metropolitan University Hospital external visitor area

The hospital features roof gardens and planted internal courtyards for patients and visitors

The support and assurance provided by Arup on such a large complex scheme was invaluable. The team worked well and responded to some challenging timescales and requests. Technically the support we received was exemplar. I would have no hesitation recommending Arup as an organisation.

Kevin Reynolds

Head of Estates and Capital, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Partners & collaborators

Balfour Beatty / Gleeds / Stride Treglown Ltd.