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New Medical Assessment Unit opens at Good Hope Hospital

Published on 26/09/2025

The Mayor of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield opens the new Medical Assessment Unit
The Mayor of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield opens the new Medical Assessment Unit

A brand-new patient assessment area was officially opened at Good Hope Hospital by the Mayor of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Cindy Yip.

Part of a £4m capital investment at the site, the project saw an old building housing medical records demolished, extensive excavation work completed with 531 tonnes of waste removed, and six modules craned carefully into place over an eight-hour period.

The new unit provides a light and spacious environment for patients and colleagues, with a larger waiting area, a quiet room for patients and their loved ones, and a new reception desk.  A dedicated pharmacy room, nurse triage spaces and medical assessment rooms have also been created, which improves patients’ privacy and dignity.

The hospital worked in partnership with modular building manufacturer McAvoy for seven months, with the modules 70% complete before leaving the factory. Final waste figures show that 99% of waste was diverted from landfill, an amazing feat and testament to both McAvoy and Good Hope Hospital’s green aspirations. To further reduce carbon emissions, McAvoy used existing power supplies avoiding the need for temporary diesel generators during the construction process.

The hospital and McAvoy are also aligned when it comes to apprenticeships; University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Good Hope Hospital, was in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers last year and is the top NHS employer on the list, with over 1,000 apprentices currently on a programme. McAvoy and their subcontractors used apprentices for both the factory and site build, providing vital training opportunities. 

Thomas Boyle, Senior Contracts Manager from McAvoy, attended the official opening and said: “Working in close collaboration with the team at Good Hope Hospital, we were able to deliver a high-quality, sustainable facility. With 70% of the modules completed in our factory before arriving on site, disruption was kept to a minimum. We’re also proud that the project supported the local economy, with 20% of the workforce employed from within 15 miles of the site.”

Simon Jarvis, Hospital Executive Director, added: “This new clinical space represents a major step forward in how we care for patients who come to us in urgent need. It has been designed to provide quicker assessment, faster access to treatment, and a smoother journey of care — all in a safe, modern environment that supports both patients and staff.

“It reflects our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our community, opening a new chapter in how we deliver urgent and emergency care at Good Hope Hospital.”

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