Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust marked another milestone in the countdown to completion of the delayed Midland Metropolitan Hospital this week, with the confirmation of the facilities management provider for the new building.
The organisation has secured the services of ENGIE, an energy and services company which aims to embrace a lower-carbon and more-efficient way of working.
Richard Samuda, trust chairman, said: “This is a key long-term relationship for us, with a shared commitment to local procurement, local employment, and the living wage.”
The five-year contract secures provision for estate services in operating the new hospital in Smethwick when it opens in 2022.
Mark Harris, divisional managing director of services at ENGIE UK & Ireland, said: “We are very pleased to be working alongside the trust to bring their new flagship site online over the next two years, before becoming a strategic partner at the hospital.
“ENGIE has long-term experience in successfully providing facilities management services to a wide range of healthcare establishments across the UK, including primary care facilities and major acute hospitals.”
And chief executive, Toby Lewis, said ENGIE’s approach to environmental sensitivity was key to the trust’s decision. He added: “We know our future will move towards a zero-carbon position and we want to be at the forefront of that movement.
“ENGIE provides facility management services in over 30 hospitals across the NHS and we look forward to working successfully together.”