The building, owned by Sunderland City Council, was home to Newcastle University’s Driving the Electric Revolution Centre. This Nightingale facility in Washington, Sunderland is perfectly positioned to serve the North East of England. This hospital is operated by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and provides a safety net to ensure patients from across the North East will have access to hospital beds during the coronavirus crisis.

“We hope that the facility will not be needed – and that the region’s hospitals are able to meet demand, following the social distancing measures put in place last month, but it is reassuring that it is there to support and relieve the region’s existing NHS facilities in the event that is needed.” Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council

Health, military, construction and logistics teams have worked tirelessly and all those involved have been praised for their efforts with messages of support coming from Newcastle United Captain Alan Shearer and England cricketer Ben Stokes. The facility was officially opened by HRH Countess of Wessex with Ant & Dec broadcasting virtually in a video played during the ceremony.

NHS Chief Executive, Sir Simon Stevens said “it makes complete sense to have this reserve capacity”. He warned “the reality is coronavirus is going to be with us for months if not years to come” and added the temporary hospital could play a role in convalescence and rehabilitation for patients with a range of illnesses.

The hospital beds are manufactured by Talley Group in Hampshire – specialists in pressure relieving mattresses and cushions, electric bed frames, negative pressure wound therapy, IPC, and infection control.

“Of course, we all hope that these extra beds will not all have to be used but I know you built this facility in a way that means you can adapt the hospital to changing clinical needs as work through the emergency and into the recovery phase continues.” Health Secretary Mr Hancock

247 hospital beds have already been delivered the NHS Nightingale Hospital in Sunderland with 620 more beds being shipped over the next 10 weeks to the Nightingale and other NHS hospitals facilities.

“JAG UFS is proud to support the national effort to ready the NHS Nightingale Hospital of the North East and other local NHS facilities during the Coronavirus crisis.” Gary Wilcox, CEO, JAG UFS

JAG UFS is also working with NHS Scotland and NHS Wales, delivering over 180 million masks and life-saving PPE throughout the crisis. We are proud to be enlisted on the government procurement catalogue for COVID-19 services.

“Driving the Electric Revolution Centre, North East, is proud that the Government has decided to convert the Innovation Centre into a Nightingale Hospital for the region and applaud the efforts of all those involved.” Rachel Chambers, Chief Operating Officer of the Driving the Electric Revolution Centre