He’s one of the medics who will be responsible for the clinical development of Europe’s biggest Accident & Emergency departments.
Dr Nuhu Usman, who is clinical director for Emergency Care at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, has told how merging two A&Es into one at the new “super hospital” – the Midland Met, in Smethwick – is his next big challenge.
“When the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital opens it will have the biggest Emergency Department in Europe,” explained Dr Usman, who began working at the Trust nine years ago.
“Getting emergency care settled into the new hospital and merging two A&Es into one is definitely a huge task. It will be a 100-bed development serving the people of Sandwell and West Birmingham.
“We will also be creating a new urgent care centre on the Sandwell site.”
Dad-of-two Dr Usman, from Sutton Coldfield, is also in charge of ensuring the Emergency Departments at both Sandwell and City Hospital are running well.
He added: “In my role along with support from my team, we try to make sure patients get the treatment they need and in a timely manner.”
During his time at the Trust, Dr Usman, 48, has helped to create the Ambulatory Care Unit, which is based at both sites and relieves the pressure on A&E.
In fact, it is this work that Dr Usman cites as his career highlight to date. “I am very proud of our Ambulatory Care Unit. We set up units at both City and Sandwell back in 2012. At the time there wasn’t any space for these units but with support from our chief executive Toby Lewis, we made room and since then it has developed successfully and is now working very well.”
It’s no surprise that helping people is Dr Usman’s ultimate goal. He added: “Patients drive and motivate me at work. I think one of the most satisfying things is seeing a patient leaving the hospital looking well. I enjoy talking to patients especially those who are elderly. Seeing the brightness in their eyes and the gratitude that someone is spending time with them is very rewarding.
“One of my most memorable occasions at work is when we had a wedding on the ward. A patient was supposed to get married but her dad was in hospital. One of our matrons helped to arrange the wedding in the hospital instead. It was such a wonderful ceremony and it was all very sweet.”
When Dr Usman isn’t busy working, he likes to escape by going on long walks with his wife and children.
So who is his own hero? “It has to be Nye Bevan, the MP who spearheaded the establishment of the NHS. It is inspiring that he had the courage to do it. The country had just come out of a war and was not prosperous but he still had the vision to create a health system that meant free care for all. He really is a remarkable person.”
