Leeds has been chosen ahead of Harrogate to provide a Nightingale surge hub for Yorkshire and the north-east of England.
NHS England announced today it was on a “war footing” and had chosen eight hospitals in different English regions to deal with a potential wave of Omicron patients.
St James’ University Hospital in Leeds has been selected in our region to provide a temporary structure capable of housing about 100 patients.
Harrogate Convention Centre was one of eight Nightingale hospitals set up in spring last year in England to treat covid patients.
It had 500 beds but closed this year without treating a single patient.
However, the huge increase in infections caused by Omicron has prompted health managers to devise plans for extra capacity. All eight regional sites chosen this time to be Nightingale surge hubs are within existing hospitals.
Read more:
- Harrogate council billed NHS £3 million for Nightingale costs
- Harrogate and Ripon hospitals restrict visitors due to Omicron
An NHS press release said placing the new Nightingale facilities in hospital grounds would make it easier to flex staff and equipment if there is a surge in admissions.
Other hospital sites could follow — NHS trusts have been asked to identify areas such as gyms and education centres that can be converted to accommodate patients.
4,000 beds
The plan is to create up to 4,000 ‘super surge’ beds across the country.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said:
“Given the high level of covid infections and increasing hospital admissions, the NHS is now on a war footing.
“We do not yet know exactly how many of those who catch the virus will need hospital treatment, but given the number of infections we cannot wait to find out before we act and so work is beginning from today to ensure these facilities are in place.”
Professor Powis urged the public to “play their part” by getting booster jabs. He said:
“The science is clear. Two doses of vaccine do not provide enough protection against Omicron so if you have not yet had a life-saving booster do not delay any longer.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said:
“We hope the Nightingale surge hubs at hospitals will not have to be used but it is absolutely right that we prepare for all scenarios and increase capacity.”
The first eight of the Nightingale surge hubs will be at the following hospitals:
North East and Yorkshire – St James’ University Hospital, Leeds
North West – Royal Preston Hospital
Midlands – Solihull Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham and University Hospitals Leicester
East of England – Lister Hospital, Stevenage
London – St George’s Hospital
South East – William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
South West – North Bristol Hospital