Barts Health Trust state that their newest hospital, NHS Nightingale London, have successfully treated and discharged their first patients.
One patient, Simon Chung, a father of one in his fifties has been transferred to ‘step-down’ care from NHS Nightingale to Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow.
Mr Chung was receiving ‘expert care’ at NHS Nightingale on a ventilator and will continue his recovery from Covid-19 at Northwick Park.
NHS Barts Health also state that a second man has been discharged from NHS Nightingale.
NHS Nightingale was set up as a back-up in case other hospitals around London became overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases,
According to Barts Health however, NHS critical care capacity is ‘holding up well’ despite the increase in demand.
There are now seven sites planned as part of a network of Nightingale hospitals as previously reported.
Nightingale hospitals have already freed up more than 33,000 beds, which Barts Health states is the equivalent of 50 new hospitals.
NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said:
“It is great news that the first patients have been discharged after successful treatment from world-leading NHS staff.”
“The Nightingale London may have been built in a matter of days in response to this unprecedented global health emergency but there are excellent facilities and, of course, the staff working there are every bit as skilled and dedicated as those caring for patients at other NHS hospitals.”
“We have not yet had to make extensive use of the Nightingale London thanks to the hard work of NHS staff – who have freed up more than 30,000 existing hospital beds – and the public, who have played their part by staying at home and saving lives.”
“It will count as a huge success for the whole country if we never need to use them but with further waves of coronavirus possible it is important that we have these extra facilities in place and treating patients.”
Eamonn Sullivan, Nursing Director at NHS Nightingale London, said:
“This is wonderful news and testament to all the clinicians and support staff who have been working around the clock to care for our patients.”
“Although these two patients being discharged today are now out of danger, their long road to recovery is a reminder of why everyone needs to do what they can to stay safe by following the government’s advice.”
Professor Charles Knight, Chief Executive of NHS Nightingale London, said:
“NHS Nightingale Hospital London is here to be called on when we’re needed, to alleviate the pressure on all London Trusts during the Covid-19 outbreak by taking patients who need ongoing critical care as part of a network of critical care services across our capital.”
