Exeter’s NHS Nightingale hospital to be moved to new location
The NHS Nightingale hospital being built in Exeter to help the fight against COVID-19 will no longer be in Westpoint Arena but is being moved to a different location.
It has been decided that the site, with a 200-bed capacity, would be too large as a result of the “lower than expected” transmission rates of the virus in the Devon area.
The emergency field hospital, one of seven around the UK, will instead be built in a former Homebase store in Sowton industrial estate. The NHS said the move “would be a better use of resources.”
As well as its size, the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning group considered other sites as a result of the “value which Westpoint brings to the community north of Exeter.” The new site of the former Homebase store will also be available for the care of COVID-19 patients for a longer period of time.
“Westpoint have been nothing less than exemplary and were the first to heed the call” and “They understand why we have made the decision and support us in doing the best we can for patients.”
Dr Michael Marsh, Regional medical director for the NHS South West
The Army will help build Exeter’s NHS Nightingale hospital, with a predicted opening now in late May.
Editor: Elen Johnston