The NHS paid consultancy firm KPMG almost £1m to help set up Harrogate’s Nightingale Hospital.

NHS documents, which were first reported in the Huffington Post, confirm that during the first three months of the NHS Nightingale in Harrogate, KPMG was paid £922,899 by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

A local procurement expert told the Stray Ferret that KPMG would have taken on a project manager role for the hospital to help organise contractors, sort leases, order equipment and work out staffing rotas.

Under emergency covid-19 procurement powers, the NHS did not have to go out to competitive tender for the contract.

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The Stray Ferret asked KPMG how they spent the money and how they ensured the contract represented value for money but they declined to make a comment.

The document also revealed that in June the NHS paid Harrogate Borough Council £378,220 in “miscellaneous expenditure”. HBC told the Stray Ferret that they have not charged the NHS any rent for using the Convention Centre.

After weeks of uncertainty, it was confirmed this week that the Nightingale will remain in place until March 2021 after its contract was extended. However, a review will take place in October to assess its need.