UK Update - ramping up COVID 19 testing, capacity and capability.

[Jm954]

The NHS has struck a deal with private hospitals to acquire thousands of extra beds, ventilators and medical staff to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

An extra 8,000 hospital beds across England, nearly 1,200 ventilators and almost 20,000 fully qualified staff will be available.

In addition 3 new temporary hospitals will be commissioned with the first open in the next week or so at the London ExCel Centre. This NHS Nightingale Hospital will comprise two wards and the ability to hold up to 4,000 patients with 500 beds initially available.

The new Birmingham hospital is being built within the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and another at Manchester’s Central Convention Centre which will become the new NHS coronavirus treatment hospital in the north of England. The Midlands venue could hold up to 5,000 beds if required, while the GMEX in Manchester is thought to hold as many as 1,000. More will follow and the Head of the NHS said that across England there are now 33,000 hospital beds available to treat coronavirus patients.

The NHS has launched a Coronavirus test drive-thru for NHS staff at the Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London theme park. The health workers, who remain in their cars, are tested by nurses who carry out swabs from the nose and mouth through car windows.

In addition NHS workers can also now be tested for coronavirus at a new drive-through testing centre at the Boots headquarters in Beeston, Nottingham.

Last words to Bob Weighton, the world's oldest man who lives in the UK and who lived through the Spanish flu pandemic which decimated the world’s population when he was ten. He will celebrate his 112th birthday in isolation due to the coronavirus. “Everything is cancelled, no visitors, no celebration. It’s a dead loss as far as celebration is concerned,” Bob said.

Stay safe

Jackie

[Alobs]

Great post, thanks

[Newdawn Administrator]

Thanks Jackie.

One of the most sobering images I’ve seen is the work going on to convert a building at Birmingham Airport into a mortuary capable of holding 12,000 bodies! 😔

Newdawn

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to Newdawn]

I know, it's sobering. Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best I hope. I think they optimistically said there may be fewer than 10,000 deaths if we all stay home. I'm not moving anywhere!

Stay safe

Jackie

[Hidden]

I have a question.Why are there 'private hospitals" in a country with a national health service? Just wondering.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Based on choice, ability to pay, an employment perk, wanting to get treatment quicker etc. The NHS also contracts with these hospitals to provide NHS care these days when they are at capacity so on the ‘choose and book’ system, you could find yourself in a private hospital courtesy of the NHS anyway.

Newdawn

[Oleboyredw-uk]

I thought I heard (on beeb) that an extra location in Cardiff has now been added.

best to all, rob

[Jacksc06 in reply to Oleboyredw-uk]

And one in Glasgow i believe.

[Oleboyredw-uk in reply to Jacksc06]

That looks like a good start then, once all running. Just need a but of extra cover fir our friends in NI.