Bristol's NHS Nightingale Hospital Officially Opens

The latest NHS Nightingale hospital has opened in Bristol as part of the UK's continuing response to coronavirus.

The facility will provide up to 300 intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients.

The Earl of Wessex opened the UK's seventh Nightingale hospital, in a virtual video link ceremony.

The unit has been built at the University of the West of England's Frenchay campus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "It is testament to the tireless work of the NHS clinicians, builders, architects and military planners involved that the NHS now has another vital piece in its response to this virus – NHS Nightingale Bristol."

"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our health and social care staff who will be working at NHS Nightingale Bristol, serving people locally and providing vital extra capacity for local hospitals should it be needed," he added.

"We all continue to have a role to play in staying home to support our NHS and save lives."

Run by North Bristol NHS trust, the facility will offer 300 fully ventilated additional beds.

Staff are being resourced from within the NHS and a range of other organisations.

The facility is ready to accept patients 24 days since the site was announced.

The hospital’s chief officer, Marie-Noelle Orzel, said: "Like the others across the country, our hospital is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the hard work of all those involved – from the NHS staff, to the builders, carpenters and architects, the Armed Forces, our university hosts and everyone else.

"Each and every person has played their part to get us to where we are today – hoping that we will not be needed, but ready to care with compassion, if and when we are needed."

NHS Nightingale Bristol is part of a network approach to managing critical care services across the region, which includes Gloucestershire, Bristol, north Somerset, Bath, north-east Somerset, Wiltshire, Somerset and south Gloucester.