The hospital closed after the A&E last patient was transferred from City Hospital to Midland Metropolitan University Hospital on 10 November.

Sir David Nicholson, chairman for the trust, said: ‘Today we have completed our final patient moves from City Hospital and the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is now a fully operational acute hospital.

‘In our three moves, we have safely transferred over 300 patients, from three-hour old babies to a 97-year-old. All three moves have been very successful and completed ahead of schedule each time. That is testament to the meticulous planning that has gone into it and we are incredibly proud of all staff involved.'

The last inpatient to leave the 130-year-old hospital site was Pankaj Kumar, who is also an A&E doctor at the trust and is currently being treated for pneumonia.

Staff lined the corridor and clapped as he was taken to the ambulance – and as he arrived into the ward at the Midland Met he was again met with applause.

He said: ‘It was really a heartfelt moment when I was moved as the last patient. Everyone was standing there, clapping. It was really touching, and then when I got to the Midland Met they were there waiting for me to do the same again.'

In October, Sandwell Hospital A&E and inpatient wards were closed and moved to the Midland Met. The Maternity Department transferred over on Wednesday 6 November.