Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley and former trauma surgeon in Birmingham, has welcomed the opening of a brand-new state-of-the art operating theatre hub at Solihull Hospital.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP said:
Securing new investment for our local NHS is a key component of my local strategy and plan for making Solihull West and Shirley an even better place to live. Improving residents’ access to all areas of healthcare is really important to me as the local Member of Parliament. Having met with many constituents, across Solihull West and Shirley, I have heard personal accounts of patients waiting for prolonged periods of time to receive treatments.
The opening of the elective hub is really welcome news. I am delighted that constituents will now benefit from this long-standing investment of £45m, which has provided six new operating theatres. The elective hub will provide local treatment for patients with a range of operations including cancer, joint replacement, and plastic surgeries.
In addition to the new ophthalmology treatment suite, it is estimated that, as a consequence of this capital spending, over 11,500 additional procedures will be carried out at Solihull Hospital. I know my constituents have felt frustrated in recent years with waiting lists, and this investment will bring down those waiting times and ensure patients receive treatment sooner. The new hub also brings over 200 new members of NHS staff to help deliver the new services, so constituents can feel the benefits of this investment.
In 2023, Solihull Hospital also welcomed a £1million new Urgent Treatment Centre, which opens from 08:00 – 20:00, seven days a week, providing urgent care. Constituents have been telling me that extending this service is of great importance to them.
Moving forward, I look forward to working with Saqib Bhatti, Member of Parliament for Meriden and Solihull East, and University Hospitals Birmingham as together we build on this good news, to enhance and restore more services, like an A&E department back to Solihull Hospital.
