Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust has received a “good” rating for its leadership following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), . The rating reflects improvements made during a period of significant transformation for the trust, including the opening of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) and changes in senior leadership.
The CQC’s inspection, conducted in and of 2025, assessed the trust’s overall leadership and culture, replacing previous, more fragmented rating systems. The shift to a single, trust-level rating focuses on these core elements, and the CQC is currently evaluating whether this approach remains appropriate as healthcare models become increasingly integrated and complex.
While leadership was deemed “good,” service-level inspections revealed a more nuanced picture. Urgent and emergency care and surgery at MMUH were both rated “good,” but maternity services at the same hospital “require improvement.” Inspectors identified breaches of regulation related to safe care and treatment within both urgent and emergency care, and in the areas of safe care, person-centered care, and staffing within maternity services. The trust has been asked to submit a detailed action plan outlining steps to address these concerns.
MMUH, which opened in late 2024, underwent its first CQC inspection with these service reviews. A comprehensive overall rating for the hospital is pending, as the CQC has not yet inspected all of its services. Surgery at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, located at City Health Campus, also received a “good” rating, though the overall rating for City Health Campus remains “requires improvement.”
Carolyn Jenkinson, CQC deputy director of hospitals in the Midlands, highlighted the progress made by the trust. “During our inspection we found leadership at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust had improved during a time when the trust had undergone major transformation, including the opening of a new hospital, bringing services together, and changes at senior executive level,” she stated. The CQC noted that the trust’s strategic vision aligned well with internal plans and objectives, and that it collaborated effectively with partner organizations to optimize patient outcomes.
The CQC also commended the trust’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, noting that its strategy fostered a more inclusive workforce and a better understanding of the needs of diverse communities. However, the inspection also revealed areas for improvement. Leaders were encouraged to refine systems for monitoring service delivery, enhance confidence in digital infrastructure, and ensure seamless integration between different systems.
Specific findings from the service inspections highlighted strengths in patient care. In urgent and emergency care at MMUH, staff were described as caring and committed, providing compassionate care despite challenges related to departmental demand and discharge delays. Surgery services at both locations were praised for effective care that actively involved patients in their treatment decisions. However, safeguarding training for staff in urgent and emergency care was identified as needing improvement.
Maternity services at MMUH, while showing improvement in culture and communication, still faced challenges. Language barriers occasionally hindered communication, and triage processes sometimes experienced delays. Despite these issues, staff were consistently noted for their kindness and compassion, and for supporting patients’ involvement in their care.
The inspection also identified areas where the trust could strengthen its internal processes. Leaders were advised to expedite investigations into serious incidents and to demonstrate clear action taken during complex investigations. Improvements were also recommended in governance systems to better track the impact of implemented changes and measure their effectiveness. Addressing waiting times, particularly those exceeding local and regional averages, was also identified as a priority.
the CQC noted that the trust had a substantial amount of clinical guidance that was not fully compliant with current best practices. Despite these areas for improvement, the CQC acknowledged the trust’s progress in environmental sustainability, highlighting projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions, including the use of intelligent LED lighting, solar panels, and combined heat and power systems in the new hospital.
The trust also demonstrated a commitment to staff development through a comprehensive training program focused on career advancement, including a leadership program designed to enhance management skills. Most staff felt comfortable raising concerns, and reported an improvement in the trust’s responsiveness to these issues, although some expressed concerns about potential repercussions for speaking up.
The CQC will continue to monitor the trust’s progress in addressing the identified areas for improvement, ensuring that patients receive safe, effective, and compassionate care. The trust serves a population of approximately 530,000 people in west Birmingham and the surrounding towns of Sandwell, managing a network of hospital and community services including Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, City Health Campus, and Sandwell Health Campus.
