A new Medical Assessment Unit, delivered by offsite manufacturer McAvoy at Good Hope Hospital, has officially opened in Sutton Coldfield. The milestone was marked by an opening ceremony attended by the Mayor of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Cindy Yip.
Part of a £4 million 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, improving patients’ privacy and dignity.
The hospital worked in partnership with offsite 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 collaboration and commitment to sustainable practices. To further reduce carbon emissions, McAvoy used existing power supplies, avoiding the need for temporary diesel generators during the construction process.
McAvoy and its subcontractors used apprentices for both the factory and site build, providing valuable training opportunities. The Trust, which runs Good Hope Hospital, was ranked in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers last year and is the highest-placed NHS employer on the list, with more than 1,000 apprentices currently in training.
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.”
Read the previous update here.
