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.
13. Opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East
The hospital gives the North East the capacity to care for another 460 coronavirus patients if hospitals are filled. | JPIMedia Photo: Stu Norton
14. Opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East on ICU 1
Every bed in the hospital could also become an intensive care bed if needed. | JPIMedia Photo: Stu Norton
15. Opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East
The opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East should reassure the public that the North East is ready to fight the coronavirus. | JPIMedia Photo: Stu Norton