On 28 February, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West & Shirley, and Saqib Bhatti MBE Member of Parliament for Meriden & Solihull East met with David Melbourne, Chief Executive of the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board.
In the course of the meeting, the local MPs cited some of the improvements to the local NHS Trust since 2019 - including a new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), a new elective surgery unit, a new locality hub at Solihull Hospital, and a Community Diagnostic Hub at Chelmsley Wood.
Not withstanding these improvements the MPs also made the case that some services currently delivered at other University Hospitals Birmingham sites should be restored to Solihull.
Solihull has been without an A&E since 2013. However, the Solihull MPs highlighted that “the Borough’s rising local population, and ageing society, means it is essential the Government does all it can to ensure Silhillians have access to first-class health services”.
The population of Solihull is currently around 216,000. Both MPs explained that this figure is expected to grow significantly as a consequence of the Government’s new planning proposals. They said that “the numbers make it very clear that Solihull needs greater support from the Government”.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP said:
At the meeting, I shared the experiences of my constituents of the urgent care treatment they have been receiving at Heartlands and Warwick Hospitals. I made the case that some services delivered by other University Hospitals Birmingham sites should be restored to Solihull. This would not only take pressure off the other hospitals but also allow residents to be seen closer to home.
Drawing upon my own clinical experiences, I was able to discuss the wider challenges, including the funding position and need for any front door acute services to be underpinned by the necessary infrastructure to ensure patient safety.
Going forward, we are committed to work in a collaborative and constructive manner to deliver a substantially improved urgent care service, delivered in Solihull for our residents. In order to do so, we will regularly meet with the ICB and the leadership team at Solihull Hospital.
Saqib Bhatti MP said:
I continued to push for A&E services at Solihull Hospital. This meeting followed my recent Adjournment debate in the House of Commons supported by neighbouring MP Dr Neil Shastri Hurst.
An aging population, increased demand on other A&E services, in conjunction with having to go to Heartlands Hospital when every minute matters, is clearly not acceptable for residents for Solihull Borough.
The government is massively increasing the housing burden on Solihull Borough and we were both clear that for all homes that are built the appropriate infrastructure must be built alongside it, and that is why, if these targets do go ahead, we must have A&E services in Solihull Hospital. I will not stop in my determination to see A&E services returned to Solihull Hospital and I will continue to press the Government to act.
