Residents will be aware that plans are underway to turn Solihull Hospital into a Covid-clear facility to enable local patients to undergo surgery and procedures that had been placed on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Since early May, patients have been referred mainly to Heartlands Hospital or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham as there are now no inpatients in Solihull Hospital. 

The Hospital is to be deep cleaned to enable construction work to be undertaken to get it ready to take patients requiring surgery from June 1st and the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) is now temporarily closed as part of measures being put in place.

By way of reassurance to patients, these departments at Solihull Hospital will continue to provide services:  · Dialysis, · Pharmacy, Pathology, Outpatients, Women’s Unit (inc. Birthing Unit), Cardiac Catheterisation Lab, Cardiology Diagnostic Testing, Physiotherapy, Chronic Pain, Dermatology,  Rheumatology, Haematology/Oncology, Imaging and Ophthalmology.

Cllr Karen Grinsell, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health said; “Now that the MIU is temporarily closed at Solihul Hospital, patients with a minor injury should now seek treatment elsewhere. Those with more serious issues, including suspected broken bones, will need to travel to Heartlands or the QE in Birmingham for accident and emergency departments.”

Many of the patients that visit MIU at Solihull have conditions such as: a sprained ankle or other minor sprains, which can often be treated at home, by using RICE therapy: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate. Visit the NHS website<https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/> which is a good and reliable source of self-care advice, or a pharmacist can also give advice about sprains and strains, including advice about painkillers.  More information about local services can be found on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk<http://www.nhs.uk/>

Cllr Grinsell added; “It’s great to hear that patients that have had operations put on hold can soon be treated, but as Cabinet Member with responsibility for Health in the borough, I have sought assurances that the closure of current facilities is only temporary.  I am however, pleased to learn that hospital bosses are exploring options for the minor injuries service to be provided on another site within the borough whilst these temporary measures at our Hospital are in place.”