By Tony O’Riley-
Prince Charles has referred to Nightingale hospital “an intensely practical message of hope at this time of national suffering” and has thanked everyone who has made it possible.
The British government’s emergency field hospitals to treat coronavirus patients has finally opened in east London’s ExCel centre .The temporary NHS Nightingale Hospital, formerly an Excel exhibition space, was transformed into a hospital in just 10 days. It is expected to hold as many as 4,000 patients and be staffed by NHS medics with help from the military.
Prince Charles paid tribute to staff as he opened the hospital via video link. Similar hospitals are planned for Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Harrogate and Bristol.
“It is without doubt a spectacular and almost unbelievable feat of work in every sense, from its speed of construction – in just nine days as we’ve heard – to its size and the skills of those who have created it.
“An example, if ever one was needed, of how the impossible could be made possible and how we can achieve the unthinkable through human will and ingenuity.” Price Charles said the project which was completed in just nine days, was a “testament to the work and the brilliance of the many people involved”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock praised the spirit of the NHS and the country in coming together to make the opening of the hospital possible. Hancock said: In these troubled times with this invisible killer stalking the whole world, the fact that in this country we have the NHS is even more valuable than before.
He added:
”It is the best of efforts. It is the best of the NHS. And it is the best of Britain to come together in these difficult circumstances to put together such a facility, at such pace, that will be there for people so that we can give the very best care. And so that as a nation we can come through this crisis in the best way we possibly can.