AROUND 600 patients are to be transferred to the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital across three separate days during the next month.

The new hospital opens its doors to the public for the first time on Sunday (October 6).

West Midlands Ambulance Service will begin moving patients on the day, with the service set to transfer roughly 300 patients from Sandwell Hospital on Sunday.

A further 60 maternity patients will be transferred from City Hospital on Wednesday November 6, before a final day of transfers on Sunday November 10 when approximately 220 patients will be moved from City Hospital to the new site.

The transfers will be carried out using 60 ambulances, a combination of 999 emergency vehicles and non-emergency patient transport service ambulances. All of those being used will be in addition to normal ambulance numbers, to ensure there is no detriment to the daily 999 service.

James Williams, WMAS head of emergency preparedness, resilience and response, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into this project over the last nine months to ensure we are fully prepared to transfer patients to the new hospital.

“We have worked closely with colleagues from Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals throughout the planning process and are confident the plans we have put in place will ensure patients are moved efficiently and safely.

“Our staff are used to moving patients every single day, it is what we do as a service. We will ensure every patient has the correct level of care provided to them when moving between hospitals, depending on the severity of their condition.

“I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in getting us to this stage, and to all of the staff members who have agreed to work extra shifts to ensure the three transfer days will operate above our normal business as usual levels.”