See inside Sunderland's Nightingale Hospital North East as the facility officially opens
The 460-bed hospital, based near Nissan’s Washington plant, will only start taking patients if the region’s hospitals are unable to cope with a potential surge of Covid-19 cases which require hospital treatment.
It has now been transformed into a 20-ward hospital, including eight intensive care wards, and gives the North East the capacity to care for another 460 coronavirus patients if hospitals are filled.
As it officially opens we take a look inside.
It has now been transformed into a 20-ward hospital, including eight intensive care wards, and gives the North East the capacity to care for another 460 coronavirus patients if hospitals are filled.
5. Opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East on Ward 6
The Sunderland-based hospital is unique in the fact that while there will be 130 intensive care beds, every bed in the hospital could also become an intensive care bed if needed, as all wards will have the necessary equipment. Photo: Stu Norton
6. Opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East
The 20-ward hospital has eight intensive care wards. Photo: Stu Norton
7. Opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East
The building which now houses the hospital will eventually become home to the Centre of Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CeSAM). Photo: Stu Norton
8. HRH The Countess of Wessex official opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East
HRH The Countess of Wessex officially opened the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East, with the plaque unveiled by Sir John Burn, chair of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Photo: Stu Norton