Five firms have expressed a keen interest in being awarded the construction contract for Walsall Manor Hospital’s new £36m Emergency Department.

The investment is part of a £963 million package of improvements revealed by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock last December. It will see specialist areas created for resus, paediatrics and mental health and a design that better supports patient flow in the department that was originally built to cater for 40,000 patients a year yet has around 80,000 through its doors.

Russell Caldicott, Lead Director for the project said: “We’ve appointed Paul Wood as Project Director for this redevelopment and an Outline Business Case will go to our Trust Board in September followed by a Full Business Case in December.

“The procurement process is underway. Five firms have expressed a keen interest in constructing the new department and have been in to meet with us and discuss the plans.

“Once we have NHSI and Government approval we’re hopeful that work can start early next year. The construction itself is likely to take around 18 months and we’re on track for an April 2022 completion coinciding with the Midland Met project.

“This is a major redevelopment and an exciting one that is long overdue. It will make a huge difference to both our patients and our staff who are currently delivering care in extremely challenging conditions.”