Which Nightingale hospitals are closing and why?
The hospitals set up to help deal with the Covid-19 crisis are set to close from next month
Last updated 20th Apr 2021
Nightingale hospitals across the country designed to provide more space during spikes of the Covid-19 pandemic are set to close from next month.
The seven temporary hospitals were set up across England last year in to respond to fears that the NHS would be overwhelmed by an onslaught of Covid-19 cases.
However, according to NHS England, existing hospitals have successfully increased their capacities meaning that the temporary Nightingale facilities are not needed.
What are the Nightingale hospitals?
Named after founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, these emergency hospitals were intended to treat critical care patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Large scale venues in Exeter, London, Sunderland, Bristol, Birmingham, Harrogate and Manchester were converted into these temporary hospitals.
Under the plans, patients considered the most severely ill would remain in the care of mainstream NHS hospitals, while those deemed less severely ill would be sent to the Nightingale facilities.
The military would be drafted in to staff the hospitals as well as NHS clinicians.
However, the NHS did not have enough trained staff to fill all the Nightingales and the permanent hospitals.
Were they used to deal with Covid-19?
In most cases, expanding capacity in existing NHS hospitals was enough to meet the demands during each peak of the pandemic.
Of the seven built, the only two hospitals to admit patients during the first wave were in London and Manchester, and even then, numbers in both were low.
It was the Exeter and Manchester facilities that took patients during November’s wave, while all Nightingales remained on standby during the third lockdown this year.
However, despite not necessarily being used as originally planned, many of the hospitals were redesigned as rehab centres and facilities for cancer screening venues, vaccine trials and vaccine centres.
Both London and Sunderland will remain open as vaccination centres.
Why are they being closed?
The hospitals are being closed because they are no longer needed in the effort to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
A spokesperson for the NHS described the Nightingale facilities as "the ultimate insurance policy" and thanked staff who had been involved in setting them up.
She said: “Thank you to the many NHS staff and partners who worked so hard to set the Nightingales up so swiftly and of course the public who followed the guidance on controlling the spread of the virus and helped to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the closure of the hospitals marked “an important moment in our national recovery” and credited them with playing a "critical role" in the UK's Covid-19 response.
Here's what the Government's roadmap out of lockdown looks like:
8 March: ALL pupils in England back to school
From 8 March 2021, all pupils in all year groups were allowed to go back into the classroom. Outdoor after-school sports clubs and activities were also allowed to resume.
8 March: Socialising outdoors with one other person
Two people from different households are now allowed to meet up outdoors in parks and public spaces. This means that people can sit down for a picnic or a drink, whereas previously, you could only meet someone outside your household for exercise.
29 March: Stay at Home rule liften
From 29 March, once the school Easter holidays have started, the Government will lift the stay at home rule but will continue to encourage people to stay local.
29 March: Larger group gatherings outdoors
From March 29 the "rule of six" will be re introduced alongside the the two household rule.
The "rule of six" means that up to six people from different households can meet outside.
More people will be able gather together if they are only from two households, giving greater flexibility for families and friends.
29 March: Outdoor sports facilities allowed to open
Outdoor sports facilities including tennis and basketball courts will be permitted to reopen from 29 March.
29 March: Organised adult and children's sport
Meanwhile organised adult and children's sport, such as grassroot football clubs, can also resume from March 29
29 March: Weddings with 6 people
From 29 March, weddings with 6 people will be permitted to take place. The number of guests allowed to attend weddings will increase as we move through the roadmap.
12 April: shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions and outdoor hospitality venues
From 12 April at the earliest, shops, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries, outdoor attractions, including zoos, and outdoor hospitality venues will be permitted to reopen.
12 April: Beer gardens reopen
From 12 April, outdoor beer gardens will also be allowed to reopen.
12 April: Gyms reopen
Gyms are expected to reopen from 12 April.
17 May: Indoor mixing
From May 17 at earliest, two households or groups of up to six people can mix indoors and limited crowds will be allowed to return to sporting events. Children's play areas will be opened alongside hotels, and limited groups will be allowed in theatres.
17 May: Possible foreign travel
Foreign travel may be permitted from 17 May.
17 May: Indoor hospitality
Indoor hospitality including pubs and restaurants could reopen from 17 May.
21 June: Nightclubs could reopen
From 21 June all remaining restrictions on social distancing could be lifted, and larger events may be allowed to resume, including theatres. Nightclubs may also be allowed to reopen.
21 June: Bigger weddings
Bigger wedding celebrations may be permitted from 21 June.