As part of the Omicron wave’s new NHS war footing, hospital canteens will become ‘Nightingale Wards’.
This week, eight hospitals across England begin building temporary structures for up to 100 Covid-infected patients.
Patients who require treatment following intensive care will have access to beds and medical equipment.
Hospitals are being asked to release as many patients possible to hotels, hospices, and care homes in order to accommodate the anticipated increase in Covid admissions.
Part of an Omicron wave ‘war footing’, hospitals will convert car parks and canteens into ‘Nightingale wings. The Omicron wave will see eight English hospitals start to build temporary structures for up to 100 Covid residents each week. (File image)
Stephen Powis, NHS’ national medical director (pictured), said that the NHS was now operating on a war footing due to the high number of Covid-19-related infections. It was our hope that we would never need to use the Nightingales again, and I pray that this will never happen.
Stephen Powis is the NHS’ national medical director. He stated that, owing to the high levels of Covid-19 infection in the NHS, it’s now on a war footing.
He stated that while we do not know the exact number of people who will contract the virus and need treatment in hospitals, it is clear from the sheer volume of cases we have seen that we must act immediately.
“We had hoped not to be forced to use the original Nightingales, and I pray we never will have to resort to these hubs.”
The ‘Nightingale centers’, which will replace the original wave of facilities that were transformed into hospitals like London’s ExCel center in London, will remain on the existing hospital grounds. (Above is Matt Hancock who was the Health Secretary when the Nightingale Hospital opened at London’s ExCel Centre in April 2020.
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary said that although we hope not to use the Nightingale surge centers at hospitals, it’s right to prepare for any scenario and build capacity.
The ‘Nightingale centers’, which will replace the original wave of facilities that were transformed into hospitals like London’s ExCel Centre in London, will still be located on hospital grounds.
Chiefs of health stated that this would make it easier to assign staff in the event of an increase in admissions during the next weeks.
NHS Trusts are also being asked to help identify potential areas like gyms and classrooms which could be used as temporary Covid wards.
The researchers stated that this would create an additional 4000’superstack’ beds throughout the country. This is eight times as many beds than the large, district-level hospital which currently has 500.