NHS Nightingale hospitals are to be opened in Bristol and Harrogate to join finished NHS Nightingale London, and soon-to-be-built NHS Nightingale Birmingham and Manchester.
The two new sites will provide up to 1,500 extra beds for patients infected with COVID-19.
The new hospitals will be for patients in those specific regions.
The new sites will specifically be at the University of the West of England and the Harrogate Convention Centre.
The Bristol site will have the capacity for 1,000 patients, with the Harrogate site up to 500.
NHS hospitals have already freed up over 33,000 beds – the equivalent of 50 new hospitals.
Sir Simon Stevens said:
“Now we are gearing up to repeat that feat (NHS Nightingale London) at another four sites across the country to add to the surge capacity in current NHS hospitals.”
“We’re giving the go ahead to these additional sites, hoping they may not be needing but preparing in case they are.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“The nation is facing an unprecedented global emergency and we are taking exceptional measures to ensure the NHS has whatever it needs to tackle this virus.”
“The NHS and the military have achieved something extraordinary in setting up NHS Nightingale, London in only a matter of days.”
NHS Nightingale London has opened today with Prince Charles officially opening the hospital over video link.
