BOROUGH MPs are calling on the health minister to back their campaign to restore Emergency services in Solihull.
Saqib Bhatti, Meriden and Solihull East MP and Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Solihull West and Shirley MP, have written a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, to ask for his support in securing more provision for healthcare within the borough.
The letter explained that A&E services have declined in recent years, with 14 per cent more attendees at A&E than 10 years prior, meaning that residents are experiencing longer waiting times.
It also noted that in August 2024, 65.4 per cent of patients at Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) spent less than four hours in major A&E departments, which is markedly below the NHS’ target of 95 per cent.
They have also asked the Secretary of State for Health to meet with them so they can outline the urgent need for better provision within the Solihull borough.
Sihillians in need of medical treatment to help with broken bones, sprains, cuts, stomach pains and rashes minor burns can book and appointment at the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at the Lode Lane Hospital.
But anything more serious residents are re-directed to Heartlands Hospital in Bordesley Green.
Mr Bhatti and Dr Shastri-Hurst have secured a meeting with the chair of the Birmingham and Solihull ICB to discuss the current healthcare provisions.
Mr Bhatti said: “One of my top priorities is to ensure that my constituents have access to first-class health services. Having campaigned for and delivered several healthcare facilities in the constituency, including a minor injuries unit, a community diagnostic centre and a state-of-the-art surgical hub, my constituents and I are united in our calls for A&E services to be restored to the Solihull borough.”
Former NHS surgeon, Dr Shastri-Hurst said: “As a former clinician, ensuring constituents have access to high quality healthcare is a key priority for me.
“Whilst it is encouraging to see the opening of the surgical hub at Solihull Hospital, there is a compelling case for restoring Emergency Department services.
“This is particularly the case given our growing population in the Borough. I stand with residents in our pursuit for seeing services restored locally.”
Last summer, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust – which oversees the running of the hospital – opened the current UTC in place of the MIU.
Historically Solihull did have an A&E department but in 2013 hospital bosses admitted there had not been a full and proper A&E at Solihull for many years – with A&E services dwindling bit by bit over two decades.
In 2015 Solihull Council installed red and white ‘H’ signs to replace road signs with A&E on them across the borough regarding the Lode Lane site.
The closure came while Solihull Hospital was under the management of the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT).
