Manchester's Nightingale hospital ready for first North West patients after just 14 days

The Nightingale hospital in Manchester is ready to take its first patients after being built within 14 days.
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NHS Nightingale Hospital North West is equipped to receive up to 750 coronavirus patients from across the region who do not need intensive care but still require treatment.

Construction started on Saturday March 28, with the entire main central hall of the former Manchester Central railway station, 10,000 square metres in total, designated as bed space.

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It will be staffed by consultants, junior doctors, nurses, healthcare support workers, physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, social workers, and a huge range of non-clinical support workers and administrators.

The North West NHS Nightingale Hospital under construction for Covid 19 patients last weekThe North West NHS Nightingale Hospital under construction for Covid 19 patients last week
The North West NHS Nightingale Hospital under construction for Covid 19 patients last week

Michael McCourt, the chief executive of the temporary hospital in Manchester Central Convention Complex, wrote on Twitter: "Proud & thankful to be able to say we take our first patients today.

"In 14 days huge NHS, Army & NHS partner effort this hospital is open. A lot of attention on us but don't want to forget we are here to support an already busy NW NHS."

A spokesman for NHS England confirmed the hospital is ready to take patients but could not say when the first patients are likely to be admitted.

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The facility is one of seven Nightingale hospitals being built around the country.

The first Covid-19 patients were admitted to the Nightingale Hospital in London last Tuesday, while the facility at the NEC convention centre in Birmingham became fully operational on Friday.

Temporary hospitals in Bristol, Harrogate, Wearside and Exeter are also being built.

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