08 April 2020

NHS Nightingale, the hospital built in just nine days, opens its doors to first coronavirus patients

London's new temporary hospital, the NHS Nightingale, has received its first coronavirus patients.

Following its opening by Prince Charles on Friday, the hospital built on the Excel conference centre in London's Southbank, admitted its first patients on Tuesday night.

The hospital, built in just nine days, has a capacity for 4000 patients, split into 80 wards, and will require 16,000 staff to run it.

A spokesperson for NHS Nightingale London said: "There is also treatment capacity available in other hospitals across London to complement the care being provided at the London Nightingale."

Other branches of the Nightingale are also planned to be built in Bristol, Harrogate, Manchester and Birmingham.

Ambulance staff are prepared for the intake of patients (PA Images)

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