Birmingham Hub members visited the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital site with Balfour Beatty in September.
As well as taking a tour, attendees heard from the project team about the work underway and the challenges they have faced during this complex build.
Located in Smethwick, the 670-bed hospital will offer maternity, children’s and inpatient adult facilities to half a million people. It will be the closest acute hospital to the centre of Birmingham that caters for both adults and children.
As a centre of excellence for clinical care and research, the design of the hospital revolves around a therapeutic model of care. The aim is to encourage patients to maintain mobility and independence during a hospital stay. Public areas include a winter garden and 80m long art gallery that will be assets for the community.
Balfour Beatty won the £267m contract on behalf of Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust in 2018.
Works began in December 2019 and are set to complete in 2024. At the construction peak, the project is forecast to employ a workforce of 760. This will include four graduate and 35 apprenticeship positions.
Birmingham Hub committee member Stuart Holmes said: “The opportunity to walk around one of the most significant and important projects in the region was fantastic.”
