I have been watching with keen interest all the LinkedIn posts from many ex-colleagues about the move-in process as the Midland Met Hospital opened its doors to staff, visitors and patients over the weekend. It seems like a remarkably well planned and managed transition, and I am really pleased for those involved. I also applaud Balfour Beatty plc for completing the project from the graveyard it once inhabited.
Sadly however, such a well-run process should not overshadow or allow people to forget what came before, which was probably one of the worst public-private partnership procurements ever witnessed by the industry, where 2 of the 3 bidding consortia walked away leaving the Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust to negotiate a contract with Carillion. Everyone thought that Carillion could not lose from this position.
By the time financial close and start on site was occurring in January 2016, the cracks in the company were already there for all to see. Within 2 years the project was reported as being 17m pounds over the contract price Carillion negotiated and was significantly delayed, which contributed towards the liquidation of the parent company. Upon liquidation it was clear the facts were far worse than had been reported.
Now we sit here the day after the NHS Trust has moved in and I reflect on the procurement meetings with the NHS Trust almost 10 years ago to the day. They chose arrogance over collaboration as the NHS Project Director and CEO at the time laughed off the private sector concerns (yes, I mean actually laughing at us).
The result? A project that has taken 10 years to complete and a construction bill way in excess of one billion pounds. A somber lesson to show that dismissing private sector concerns can lead to a costly outcome and that the only way complex projects should be procured is through collaboration, not ignorance.
The Midland Met has opened its doors to our population.
Chairman of the Trust Sir David Nicholson said of the historic moment: “It takes a village to raise a child, and for us a community to raise this hospital.
"We are so proud of what everyone has done, and today as we treat our first patients in this building, it is testament to what can be achieved when we are all focussed on a single aim."
Read more here: https://bit.ly/4eVqpJj
Marketing student at UCF | Dream.US Scholar | Marketing & PR Intern @ Space Dream Productions | Committee Member @ VolunteerUCF | Corporate Relations @ AMAUCF | Secretary @ Toastmasters Osceola | Growth-Oriented Mindset!
1wLove this! It's heartwarming to see a company giving back to the community and making a positive impact!