News stories

As part of our Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) 15th birthday celebrations, colleagues have been looking back at the hospital opening in June 2010.

Angela Mather-Crane was part of the New Hospital Project Team responsible for the new hospital’s delivery.

Angela said: “I look back on what we achieved with a sense of pride - it was very hard work. But it was all very well planned and executed.

“I think the thing that stands out for me in the whole experience was the team building and the fact that we had a fantastic experienced and dedicated team, there was always somebody there to call upon to ask questions.

“I know it's 15 years ago, but at the time it was a super shiny, beautiful, clean and tidy building and we were proud to say our team had a part to play in its development from conception to operational readiness.

“It’s not just a building though, is it? What makes it is the people in the building. It is quite a nice to think that we've actually hopefully made life so much better for those working at QEHB, but also that it's a nicer environment for the patients and the relatives as well.”

Louise Marklew, Therapies Administrator, said:

“I started working for QE January 2006, I wasn't based on site I was working over at Melchett Road in Kings Norton for the Patient Transport Department, I moved over to the Old QE hospital a few years later.

“I used to park my car at Selly Oak and get the shuttle bus over to QE. I remember the day that the new QE opened, it was crazy !

“The planning that went into getting the patients across from Selly Oak took such a long time organising and as I previously working for West Midlands Ambulance Service I knew a lot of the drivers who were transporting the patients across.

“It doesn't seem like five minutes ago that QEHB opened its doors to those patients. I left QEHB to join HEFT and now am back under the UHB trust. Happy 15th Birthday!”

Donna McGillion, Senior Radiographer, said: “Oh the anticipation, the excitement and the unknown of what to expect of the new super hospital !!

Joining forces from Selly Oak with our QE colleagues how was it going to be ?

Yes, at first it was a bit bumpy, and we all got lost in the first few weeks, but before long we all found our feet and merged into a big imaging department family.

Yes, staff have come and moved on, but we still have staff who continue to display the trusts values and put patients

First and at the heart of our working day and night. As I get nearer to the end of my career i will look back with pride at being part of such a great team.”

Annette Adkins, Corporate Educator, said:

“I started at UHB on 12th April 2010 as an NVQ tutor/assessor within the Learning and Development department. I was based at Selly Oak hospital site in the old portacabin which also housed HR.

I was part of the second wave of staff relocating to the new QEHB. It was fascinating seeing whole wards moving from Selly Oak hospital to the new QEH site. It took many weeks.

“Our first visit was before the hospital actually opened. We had to wear Hi-Viz jackets and hard hats, and we climbed temporary stairs from the outside of the building. Sorry, I don't have any photos.

“ It was interesting walking around the building, especially when no one was working there, just builders etc. I couldn't really place where what was what! And they were still putting finishing touches, so parts of the building were still in darkness.

“When we did move in, we were based in the corridor where the chief exec/board now reside.

“Also, there was a virtual person at the entrance of the Outpatients dept at QEHB. It was a life-sized virtual lady who would suddenly appear and speak a welcome.

Well....... she frightened the life out of me the first time she appeared, and probably for many staff and patients. Then, she seemed to disappear!! Of course, it was a blank screen in the shape of a person. I have also seen these at airports. She didn't last long!! Rather scary!

In the early months the hospital was very quiet, as more departments moved into the new hospital.”

Tracie Stevens wrote on Facebook: “I remember it being an absolutely three amazing days. Nothing could have run smoother, from the police to paramedics. It was brilliant how everyone worked together and the mood among everyone was brilliant, and plus the sun shone for those three days!”

Mandy Hill added: “Great memories remember working 24 hours to be there for the night move and the day move to ensure all went well with the equipment. Fab team across the board in medical engineering who worked tirelessly to ensure no issues happened. Good memories and can't believe has been 15 years. “

Krystal Kaur wrote: “Has it really been 15 years! I moved there from Selly Oak Hospital too! Where has that time gone?”