i worked at this hospital as an auxiliary nurse in the late 1960s. it was a cancer hospital then.read more

As a person who comes from a place that has no local hospitals (the nearest is an hour away, and…read morethat's a country hospital, so it's pretty small), the HUGENESS of the place baffled me at first. The inpatient food isn't bad, especially the puddings, but they only have a two week menu. I'd recommend a jacket potato, and avoid the sandwiches. (sounds silly but when you spend a lot of time In hospital you need to know these things.) Everybody here is supportive and will try their best to keep you in the know about what and why is happening. I have never sat there with an alarm bleeping for more than five mins. This is a fantastic achievement by the busy staff who will do everything to keep you comfortable. I would recommend this place to anyone who doesn't like hospitals, this place knows you don't want to be there, and ensures that your visit will be as short as possible without you having to come back too soon.

The first thing to note about this hospital is that it is huge. If you go through the main…read moreentrance, it's like an airport or train station. There's loads of glass and space, it's very bright. There's a Costa Coffee, a WH Smiths and a cafe right by the doors as well as a handy information desk. Outside is also a fruit and veg stall that's great value for money. The hospital is well sign posted, so you can easily find what department you're looking for. Outpatients has colour coded chairs in the waiting areas so you know where to sit. There are also staff that are very friendly and willing to help you if you need it. The hospital is well served by public transport, with buses to Halesowen, Solihull, Birmingham and West Brom as well as being a couple of minutes walk from University station on the cross city line. There is a car park but it's very expensive. There are disabled spaces by the main entrance but there aren't many of them and the road can get very busy with cars and buses. A couple of years ago I broke my ankle (the "most spectacular broken ankle" according to the doctor in A&E) and was taken here. I was seen quickly by the doctors in A&E and x-rays were done fast as was the setting off the bones and the plaster cast. It took about two hours all together (I think, I was still very drunk at the time). I had to spend a week in hospital before surgery. The wards were clean and the nurses were friendly. The surgeon who fixed my ankle explained the procedure and was very helpful. Now there were some issues with my stay. Firstly, the food is awful. I found myself getting my husband to take me down to Costa to buy panini's in the evening. Secondly, I found the doctors who looked at my ankle talked over me. They would come in, have a poke around and then leave without saying a word to me. Thirdly, the date of my surgery kept changing, which is very frustrating when you just want to go home. Fourthly, I was given crutches but not shown how to use them so the first time I tried to take myself to the bathroom I lost my balance and tried to steady myself with my broken ankle. I've been back regularly since being discharged as an outpatient and for physiotherapy. I've been well looked after and received great care from the staff that I've seen.

A good friend of mine stayed here as a result of a paranoid schizophrenic episode last year. He had…read morebeen having a really bad time with his mental health and the NHS did very little to help until it was too late and he had attempted taking his own life. I was allowed to visit after a short period of time and I must say that the facilities and overall environment of the hospital was above par. In here he was looked after by caring staff that were not overworked or too tired to care. He was treated like a real person and not another statistic which I also thought was a good thing. I am happy that a place like this exists for people, it is far better than the draconian lunatic asylums people used to be sent to. They were really keen on getting my friend back in to good health and worked using medicines and cognitive therapies to help gain balance and ease his condition

My mother in law is being discharged today. We have had the most brilliant care for her…read more She has dementia and is 97, they look after her so well. Informed us of any concerns and listened to everything we had to say and acted upon it. Superb hospital, superb staff from point of call to point of discharge. thank you all so much.

I am at the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. It is a beautiful new building and it is…read moreclear a lot of money has been invested in it. However, I have needed to rate it 'not good' . Therefore the above is where the good news ends. I have been waiting for 8.5 hours to see a Doctor and we have a new announcement the waiting time is 9.5 hours. The point being we are waiting in the Emergency Department of the hospital. According to the Oxford Dictionary the definition of 'Emergency' is "a medical emergency needing urgent treatment". Therefore, one can only conclude waiting 9.5 hours in an emergency department seems to be the opposite to it's intended function.

Nobody likes going to hospital. That's scientific fact. But after years of ongoing knee problems I…read morefinally sought medical attention and after a number of MRI scans and consultations I was referred for physiotherapy which I was a little (read: incredibly) dubious about. After a couple of sessions with a physio that, in all honesty, had about as much impact as a ball of feathers thrown by a kitten it was recommended that I attend the lower limb class (I know, sounds lame). Initially it hurt. It REALLY hurt. Now, after 6 weeks I get barely any knee pain, have much more strength and mobility in my left leg and, for the first time in about 7 years, feel like a (semi) functional human being. And weirdly I've started to enjoy it, I'm even considering joining a gym! So a huge thank you to the guys in the physio department at city hospital. I really appreciate it.

It seems strange to 'review' a hospital in this country, but this one is slightly different I…read moresuppose. There is theoretically a choice for pregnant women about how and where they give birth, so I think it's worthy of a comment. I can only speak about the ante natal and birth experience, which I found to be generally really good. The hospital is a bit of a nightmare to get to when you're heavily pregnant or in labour. For my first we had to park outside the front door as it really was an emergency and I hobbled in. However, not long after I was admitted my husband was warned that we'd get a very expensive ticket if the car stayed where it was (it was parked properly, but you're only allowed a very short time.) Luckily my sister was able to move the car, otherwise I would have been left alone in a very stressful situation while my husband disappeared to sort out parking. This all seems a bit wrong to me. In terms of the care I received during both my birthing experiences, it was absolutely brilliant. Both were very different but the midwives were fantastic. I really can't fault the care I received during this period at all. Post birth, it wasn't quite so good. The wards were very busy both times I gave birth and the staff were rushing around. I felt very lonely, especially after the birth of my first child as I had no idea what to do. I was desperate to leave the hospital and go home after each birth. However, when it really mattered to me, during the birth process, they were brilliant.

Regionally the Women's is a big busy maternity unit. Good access by road, car and train.read more

My first time at this hospital bringing a relative for treatment. As I was sat there all day…read morewaiting, I was in a position to observe the everyday bustle which goes on in all NHS hospitals. ALL staff I spoke to were very very pleasant and helpful. Walking through the corridors I am so impressed with the cleaniness and how diligent the cleaners are. Even the receptionists cleaned their work area. The restaurant was also very clean, and were clearing and cleaning the seating areas regularly. I have unfortunately had regular visits to Heartlands and Solihull and they are filthy dirty and rarely saw a cleaner. Well done to you all. Susan Robinson, Solihull

I was at the ROH Northfield September 2021 for surgery and can only offer my complements and thanks…read moreto all the staff. The treatment and aftercare was excellent and can honestly say was impressed with all departments of the hospital