Andrew Mitchell MP met Richard Kirby, Chief Executive of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust at Royal Sutton Coldfield’s Cottage Hospital to discuss the future of the hospital.

Andrew has long campaigned for improvements to be made to the hospital to ensure that it is fit for the future and able to provide community care services particularly for a growing elderly population.

During the meeting Richard explained that there has been slow progress on plans for the hospital due to the impact of Covid 19 and a move towards Integrated Care Systems but that the leadership team should receive board approval towards the end of the year for the catalogue of pending works that have been proposed for the site.

Richard promised a further update over the coming weeks and a follow up meeting will be arranged to include Karen Helliwell – Interim Accountable Officer for the Birmingham & Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Andrew Mitchell said,

“While Covid 19 and internal NHS changes have undoubtedly delayed plans to upgrade our cottage hospital it is disappointing that further progress has not yet been made to improve the site. It is vital that we don’t lose track of plans to develop the hospital into a secondary care hub. A revamped Cottage Hospital will ensure that Suttonians can remain independent and live in their own home for longer with the support of an improved community care provision. I have asked for monthly progress updates and will press the case further when I meet the CCG in the coming weeks.”