Staff at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital have been recognised on the international stage for their outstanding work to tackle health inequalities and improve access to care. The hospital, run by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, was the focus of an award-winning submission that took home the Alliance Medical Health Inequalities Award at this year’s Royal College of Physicians’ Excellence in Patient Care Awards.
Held in Liverpool, the ceremony celebrated innovative and impactful approaches to patient care from NHS Trusts across the UK and beyond. The award recognised the Midland Met team’s sustained efforts to ensure healthcare equity, particularly for underserved communities across Sandwell and West Birmingham.
The Trust’s submission was presented by Dr Sarb Clare MBE, Acute Medical Consultant and clinical lead for Same Day Emergency Care, who showcased the hospital’s approach to addressing inequality through improved patient pathways and integrated community engagement. She was joined at the ceremony by Marsha Jones, associate chief nurse, Emma Loosley, head of commissioning, and Jayne Dunn, director of commissioning — all of whom have played a central role in the vision and delivery of care at the new hospital.
Commenting on the award, Diane Wake, chief executive of the Trust, said:
“This award is testament to the ambition of our staff to provide a healthcare service equal for all. I am personally delighted to be leading an organisation of such passion and commitment to our population to provide the very best service in health we can, and our new Midland Met hospital is the anchor of that ambition, giving us the platform to build upon. Thanks to the Royal College of Physicians for this recognition and to Dr Sarb Clare, Jayne Dunn, Marsha Jones and Emma Loosley for representing us so well, and sharing the impact of our vision with colleagues across the UK.”
The Midland Met opened its doors in October 2024 as a state-of-the-art facility in Smethwick, bringing together acute, emergency and specialist services into a single, modern setting. From the outset, it was built not just to provide care, but to actively reduce health disparities across the region. Local communities were consulted from the earliest stages of planning, particularly around patient pathways such as those for stroke care, where stabilisation in the acute setting is followed by coordinated transfer to specialist rehabilitation services.
But the impact of the hospital stretches far beyond its clinical walls. The Midland Met has become a central force for regeneration in Smethwick and the wider Black Country. Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes have helped to create jobs for local people, and dedicated public spaces — including a community garden and on-site art gallery — are enhancing the hospital experience for both patients and residents.
The integration of education into the hospital’s mission has also reached a significant milestone, with the first university campus in Smethwick set to open on the Midland Met site in January 2026. The Learning Campus will provide nurse training and medical education, with students undertaking clinical placements in the hospital, building a new generation of locally rooted healthcare professionals.
Following the ceremony, Dr Sarb Clare reflected on the hospital’s growing influence across healthcare, employment and education:
“It’s a real honour for the staff at the Midland Met and their dedicated work addressing health inequalities to be recognised with this award from the Royal College of Physicians. Our objective has always been to improve the life chances of our people of Sandwell and West Birmingham. The Midland Met not only addresses health inequalities but is an enabler for regeneration, education, employment and will be a beacon of hope for our population.”
The Royal College of Physicians, which boasts over 40,000 members worldwide, runs the Excellence in Patient Care Awards annually to celebrate the professional achievements of clinicians and teams committed to transforming patient care. In addition to health inequality, this year’s awards recognised outstanding work in digital innovation, safety, and service improvement.
With this latest recognition, the Midland Met stands as a compelling example of what is possible when healthcare strategy is shaped around community needs, long-term regeneration and the ambition to provide equal access for all. It marks a significant step forward not only for the Trust but for the national conversation about health equity and integrated care.
