10 December 2024

Celebrating the Opening of Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH)

On Sunday, 6th October 2024, LinkedIn was awash with positivity and praise as the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) reached a significant milestone- welcoming its first patients. The atmosphere on the ground was electric, filled with pride and a sense of achievement. As the Programme Director for MMUH, Deborah McInerney takes a moment to reflect on her journey of leading one of the largest hospital projects in the UK over the past decade.

A New Era in Healthcare

The new MMUH is truly inspirational. Its impressive scale and innovative design are immediately striking. Each patient room offers a view, and the vast atrium provides a communal space for staff, patients, and visitors to connect and support one another. This environment is essential for fostering a caring and healing atmosphere. However, MMUH is more than just a building; it is the cornerstone of transformation for the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust. It enables the Trust to implement new models of care that focus on community-first approaches, which were not possible at the previous sites.

Transforming Care Delivery

The completion of MMUH has revolutionised the delivery of compassionate, safe, and effective care. The state-of-the-art facility underscores the critical role that physical infrastructure plays in creating therapeutic environments and promoting efficient, innovative, and sustainable healthcare practices.

Community and Economic Impact

MMUH serves as a system anchor, working with other leaders to deliver significant regeneration benefits. These include improved transport and connectivity in the Smethwick area, increased local employment through collaboration with education partners, and further investment in a Learning Campus to support local careers. This demonstrates the circular economy that healthcare can drive.

Key Learnings and Reflections

My background as a clinician and therapist has been central to my role as Programme Director, allowing me to focus on strategies that improve patient outcomes, experience and sustainable healthcare services. Here are some key learnings from preparing MMUH for its awaited opening:

Leadership and Accountability: Clear roles and responsibilities empower teams and ensure accountability.
Stakeholder Engagement: Early and regular engagement brings everyone on the journey.
Check and Challenge: Embrace the 'big tent' approach, inviting partners and peers to provide critical feedback.
Attention to Detail: Thorough testing and scenario planning at all levels help teams understand and adapt to the new environment.
Benefits Tracking: Map and track benefits early, celebrating successes to highlight the impact of everyone's efforts.
Creating the Right Environment: Foster a safe and supportive learning environment, sharing successes along the way.

As the year draws to a close, I am proud to reflect on my journey with MMUH. I look forward to continuing my work with my Archus colleagues, peers, and the wider healthcare community to leverage these learnings and improve patient outcomes and patient and staff experience. Please do reach out to connect.