The process of chosing the name for the new hospital has involved in-depth consultations with staff across UHB at both hospitals, patient groups, the public and our partner organisations over many months.
It emerged that many people did not want a radically different name. Also, the new hospital is on Queen Elizabeth Hospital campus and the current QE is the most recognisable part of UHB.
Therefore, it made sense to make use of the continuity that keeping the royal connection would provide. It would also allow UHB to build on the growing reputation for world class care that both the QE and Selly Oak hospitals have been developing in their respective fields.
To aid the selection, a number of focus groups were held where a range of staff, governors, Foundation Trust members, the Board of Directors and the public discussed UHB's vision and values and what they would like the new hospital to be called.
A shortlist of four names was drawn up. More than 500 people were then surveyed, including staff on both hospital sites, governors, Foundation Trust members and members of the public in Northfield, Harborne, Selly Oak, Hall Green and Birmingham City Centre.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham was the preferred name with each group surveyed in every location.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital was named after Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. So finally, the Trust had to seek the approval of the Queen to name the new hospital.
Any building or organisation that carries a royal title has to be sent first to the Ministry of Justice. Its officials then seek approval from the Monarch.
No external agency was used so the only costs incurred were for employed staff's time. In terms of switching to the new name, there is no additional budget or cost for new signage or literature – over and above what UHB would plan to spend normally.
As we get closer to moving into the new hospital, documents such as letterheads and forms will be used up and replaced with new ones printed with the new name. This is to minimise waste and expenditure.
It is still to be decided where the new name will feature outside and within the new hospital, or whether a member of the royal family will be invited to attend any naming or opening ceremony.
The new facility – Birmingham's first acute hospital in 70 years – is due to open the doors to its first patients in June 2010.
A phased move will eventually see the centralisation of all services currently located at the Queen Elizabeth and Selly Oak hospitals, by August 2012.