Solihull residents will soon benefit from new and improved services and increased capacity at Solihull Hospital, thanks to significant strides made by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Solihull Minor Injuries Unit re-opening in 2023
The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Solihull Hospital was temporarily paused in May 2020, to initially offset the impact of the pandemic and then to facilitate the creation of a COVID-secure dedicated elective surgery site. This has enabled the Trust to offer patients their elective surgical procedures, as well as outpatients and diagnostic services, throughout the course of the pandemic.
The Trust is now in a position to proceed with plans to re-open a refurbished MIU at Solihull Hospital. The service will be able to treat a range of common issues such as cuts and wounds, minor burns and scalds, broken bones, as well as injuries to the back, shoulder and chest. Point of care blood testing and plain film x-ray, will also be available.
The proposed opening date for the MIU is June 2023 and further information will be shared closer to the time.
Six new theatres for Solihull Hospital
The Trust has secured initial agreement to expand theatre capacity at Solihull Hospital and have therefore submitted a planning application to build a new elective surgical hub. The hub will encompass six theatres (replacing three Vanguard modular theatres and creating three new), as well as support services.
Hospital-wide, taking into account other existing theatres across the site, this will result in a total provision of 13 high-quality theatres.
The theatres will cover a broad range of low and high complexity cancer and non-cancer surgery. This will be a cutting-edge development, aligned with current national policy. There is an indicative opening date of December 2023, subject to approvals, engagement and building supplies and costs.
Re-configuration of surgical services across hospital sites
The Trust has been exploring and understanding how we can more effectively configure how surgical services are delivered across all of our hospitals.
This has resulted in a proposed model for elective care based around more effective use of resources. The proposal will see a small number of procedures move from one hospital site to another, with outpatient appointments remaining at a patient’s local hospital.
The most significant change will be the increase of elective procedures at Solihull Hospital. The proposal will see an estimated additional 15,000 treatments each year.
The Trust will be holding engagement sessions at all of our hospital sites, as well as virtually, to provide further information on these proposals. To find out more please visit: www.uhb.nhs.uk/get-involved/improvement-expansion/