Everything you need to know about the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital

The new NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital will open on Tuesday.
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The Harrogate-based hospital will care for patients with Covid-19.

Here is everything you need to know:

What is the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital?

NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.
NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.
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The new NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital is one of the critical care temporary hospitals set up by NHS England in response to the coronavirus crisis.

There are other six NHS Nightingale hospitals across the country.

Where is the new NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital based?

The NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.
NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.
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The Harrogate Convention Centre on King's Road has been converted into a temporary hospital.

It will serve the entire region.

How many people will NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital care for?

The hospital is able to provide critical care beds for up to 500 people.

NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.
NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital in Harrogate. Photo by James Hardisty.

Who will be cared for at the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital?

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The NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital is a facility to provide care to patients with coronavirus.

It is not a conventional walk-in hospital.

Only patients already on ventilators and receiving intensive care will be admitted, transferred from other hospitals across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

They will stay at the hospital until they are assessed as being ready to move back to a local hospital.

Steve Russell, the Cheif Executive of the new hospital, said: "This temporary hospital here in Harrogate will provide critical care beds, if they are needed, to care for up to 500 people who are already receiving intensive care at other Yorkshire and Humber hospitals.

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"We’re an insurance policy: across Yorkshire and Humber we all agree we want to care for patients within the existing networks of acute hospitals wherever that is possible and we know trusts have put huge amounts of effort into planning surge capacity.

Why is the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital needed?

The seven Nightingale hospitals have been set up around the country as part of a massive NHS effort to respond to the greatest global health emergency in more than a century.

This extra capacity is on top of the 33,000 additional beds freed up across NHS hospitals – the equivalent of building 50 district general hospitals – and the up to 8,000 beds put at the NHS’ disposal through an unprecedented deal with the independent sector.

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These measures combined mean that capacity still exists in hospitals to care for patients with coronavirus, as well as other patients who may need urgent and emergency treatment, with the Nightingales standing ready if local services need them beyond that.

Can I visit loved ones in the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital?

Due to the risk of infection members of the public will not be able to visit patients.

However, a call centre with embedded chaplaincy support will keep family members informed and provide emotional support.

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When does the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital open?

The NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and the Humber hospital will open on Tuesday, April 21.

Staff and contractors at the Harrogate Convention Centre managed to turn the building into an operational hospital within weeks.

Paula Lorimer, Director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said: “Thanks go to all my team on site, our contractors, and all who we’ve worked so closely with, including the team at NHS Leeds Teaching Hospital, the Army, and Harrogate Borough Council staff.

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"It is no small thing to transform an exhibition and events venue into a fully operational hospital.

"What’s more, to come into work and work all hours - when the instinct and advice is to stay safe and stay home – is to be commended.”

Who will be opening the hospital?

Captain Tom Moore to be the guest of honour at the official opening of the new Nightingale hospital.

The 99-year-old war veteran, and now a household name for raising an incredible £23 million for the NHS, is set to praise NHS workers via video link at the opening.

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The former British Military Officer, who served in India and in the Burma campaign during the Second World War, aimed to raise £1,000 for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

More than one million people have since donated to his Just Giving page, helping him reach 4640% of his original goal.

Captain Tom Moore said: "I am still amazed by the amount of kindness and generosity from the UK public who continue to give despite it being an uncertain time for many.

"I think the amount raised demonstrates just how much we all value the dedication and sacrifices made by our NHS workers. I have fought during a war and they are now fighting in a war too.

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"I’m honoured to be opening the NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and Humber and to get to thank many of the NHS workers directly.

"I know that having extra beds available for the sick, if needed will be reassuring to those workers, as it would have been to me when I was on the frontline."

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said: “On behalf of the NHS our heartfelt thanks go to Captain Tom Moore for his remarkable fundraising efforts for NHS charities, and to the public for their generosity in supporting him and our staff.

"Inviting Captain Moore to be our guest of honour at the opening of NHS Nightingale Yorkshire and Humber is the least we can do to thank him for his inspiring service and example, and no doubt there will be further ways in which we will be able to express our gratitude.

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"Just like the amazing campaign Captain Moore has inspired, the Nightingales are a symbol of how people have come together as part of a nationwide effort to prepare – should they be needed now or in the months to come – for the greatest global health emergency in more than a century.

"But of course we all hope we need to use the Nightingales as little as possible – and the thousands of other beds that hospital staff have freed up – and for that to happen we need the public to continue to stay home to save lives."

Where are the other NHS Nightingale hospitals?

The Exhibition Centre London was the first field hospital to open on April 3.

Prince William officially opened the NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham on April 16.

Other hospitals will open in Bristol, Exeter, Manchester and Washington.