Yorkshire Nightingale Hospital 'extended for two weeks'

Uncertainty over the future of Harrogate's Nightingale Hospital has increased after a contract for its use was extended by just two weeks.

An NHS contract for its use was due to expire on 31 July but it has been extended for another two weeks.

The 500-bed field hospital, which is based at Harrogate's Convention Centre, is owned by the borough council. The council, which is facing a £9 million deficit as a result of the pandemic, said it is continuing talks with the NHS over when the convention centre can be handed back. The NHS is not paying any rent to the convention centre or the council.

The Nightingale in Harrogate has not treated a single coronavirus patient since opening at the peak of the outbreak in April.

Harrogate Convention Centre has said that it is unable to restart events or plan ahead while it's in use as a Nightingale because of its size. Other Nightingale hospitals which have been built, including at conference venues in London, Birmingham and Manchester, have begun planning for events to partially return this Autumn.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced only last month that the government would provide £3 billion to maintain the seven Nightingale hospitals until the end of March 2021. This is to safeguard against another spike in coronavirus cases over the winter.

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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